After seven memorable seasons in Atlanta, Trae Young's time with the Hawks appears to be coming to an end as the franchise and the four-time All-Star guard are collaboratively working to find a trade before the February 5 deadline, according to multiple reports. The Washington Wizards have emerged as the most serious potential destination, with discussions centering around a deal that would send veteran guard CJ McCollum's expiring contract to Atlanta in exchange for Young. This development comes after the Hawks declined to offer Young a maximum contract extension this past offseason, signaling a mutual recognition that both parties could benefit from a fresh start.
How the Trae Young Trade Saga Unfolded
The first signs of a potential breakup appeared this summer when newly installed Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh elected not to extend Young's contract. The 27-year-old guard has this season and next season at $95 million total remaining on his deal, with a $49 million player option for 2026-27. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Young's representatives and Saleh began positive and collaborative talks over the past week on finding a resolution, with both sides acknowledging that a trade might be in their best interests.
Young's injury-plagued 2025-26 season has complicated matters further. Limited to just 10 games due to a right MCL sprain and subsequent quad contusion, the Hawks have posted a dismal 2-8 record in games he's played compared to a respectable 15-12 mark without him. In his absence, forward Jalen Johnson has emerged as a bona fide star, averaging 24 points, 10.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists, while free agent acquisition Nickeil Alexander-Walker is posting career-best numbers. The team's defensive rating balloons to 126.2 with Young on the court—nearly five points worse than the league's bottom-ranked Utah Jazz defense.
Timeline: From Draft Night to Trade Talks
The Hawks selected Trae Young with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft following a memorable draft-night deal that sent Luka Dončić to Dallas. Young quickly became the face of the franchise, leading Atlanta to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021 and setting team records for assists and three-pointers. However, the past two seasons have seen the Hawks miss the playoffs entirely, qualifying only for the play-in tournament before being eliminated.
This summer marked a turning point when Saleh upgraded the roster with defensive-minded players like Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porziņģis while giving defensive stalwart Dyson Daniels a four-year, $100 million extension. The decision not to extend Young's contract signaled a philosophical shift toward a more balanced, defensive-oriented approach. As ESPN's Marc Spears noted on "NBA Today," Young is "open-minded to being moved" and while not demanding a trade, isn't telling Atlanta not to trade him either.
Why Washington Makes Sense for Both Sides
The Wizards present a compelling trade partner for several reasons. Washington possesses massive expiring contracts in Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum that could facilitate a deal, lacks a long-term solution at point guard, and has Travis Schlenk—the executive who drafted Young in 2018—as their vice president of player personnel. According to Yahoo Sports' Marc Stein, the Wizards have emerged as a "legitimate potential trade destination" with a deal construction centered around McCollum's expiring contract.
For the Hawks, moving Young's $46 million salary this season and potential $49 million next season would provide massive financial flexibility. As ESPN's Bobby Marks notes, Atlanta could operate as a team under the cap in the offseason, with only $107.5 million committed to eight players if both Young and Porziņģis' salaries come off the books. This would give them approximately $45-50 million in cap space plus the New Orleans Pelicans' unprotected first-round pick that currently has top odds in the loaded 2026 draft class.
For the Wizards, Young represents a chance to acquire a star in his prime to accelerate their rebuild. With promising young wings like Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, and Bilal Coulibaly, plus second-year center Alex Sarr, Washington lacks an organizational presence at point guard. Young's ability to collapse defenses and create for others could supercharge the development of their young core, particularly Sarr who thrives in short-roll situations after defenses blitz Young in pick-and-roll scenarios.
The Complicated Market for a Flawed Star
Finding a trade partner for Young presents challenges beyond just matching salaries. As ESPN's Tim Bontemps explains, "There simply isn't a great need for point guard play across the league" and Young's defensive limitations make him a difficult fit for contenders. His ball-dominant style has reportedly frustrated teammates at times, and while he's averaged 25.2 points and 9.8 assists for his career, his shooting efficiency has declined over the past two seasons.
The salary cap's apron restrictions further complicate matters, making it difficult for teams to absorb Young's $46 million salary. According to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, "Rarely does the discussion of trading Young include much coming back to Atlanta in terms of draft-pick value," suggesting the Hawks might need to attach assets to move him. However, Bleacher Report's Zach Lowe has hinted that Washington might actually be the team receiving assets in a Young deal given the financial burden of his contract.
Where Things Stand as Deadline Approaches
With the February 5 trade deadline exactly one month away, both the Hawks and Young's camp are actively exploring options. ESPN's NBA insiders have outlined four potential trade frameworks, with the Wizards deal appearing most likely. In one proposed scenario, Washington would receive Young and a 2031 second-round pick, while Atlanta gets McCollum, Malaki Branham, AJ Johnson, and a 2026 first-round pick via the worst of the Clippers, Rockets, and Thunder selections.
Other potential destinations include the Milwaukee Bucks, who could offer Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, and Gary Harris plus a 2031 first-round pick; the Portland Trail Blazers, who need point guard help with Damian Lillard out for the season; and the LA Clippers, who could package John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanović, and a protected first-round pick. However, the Wizards remain the frontrunner due to their combination of expiring contracts, organizational connection through Schlenk, and need for a lead guard.
What Happens Next for Young and the Hawks
The coming weeks will determine whether Young finishes the season in Atlanta or dons a new uniform. If traded to Washington, he would immediately become the focal point of their offense, tasked with accelerating the development of their young core while potentially improving their lottery odds in a deep 2026 draft class. For the Hawks, moving Young would clear the path for Jalen Johnson to assume a larger role as the franchise cornerstone while providing financial flexibility to build a more balanced roster.
Young's impending free agency adds another layer of complexity. If he opts out of his $49 million player option this summer, any team trading for him would essentially be acquiring a rental unless they're confident they can re-sign him long-term. This reality might limit the market to teams like Washington that are willing to take a calculated risk on a player who could transform their offensive identity but comes with significant defensive liabilities.
The Bottom Line: Key Points to Remember
The Trae Young era in Atlanta appears to be ending after seven-plus seasons marked by individual brilliance but limited team success. The Hawks' decision not to extend his contract this summer, combined with Young's injury-plagued season and the emergence of Jalen Johnson, has created a mutual desire for change. Washington has emerged as the most logical destination due to their expiring contracts, need for a point guard, and organizational connections. While Young's defensive limitations and massive contract present challenges, his offensive creativity and playmaking ability could provide exactly what the rebuilding Wizards need. As the February 5 deadline approaches, all signs point toward Young wearing a new uniform sooner rather than later.
