Internally, the Wizards believe they’ve landed more than just a point guard in Trae Young. According to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal, Washington views Young as a “rare intersection of basketball impact and marketability,” a combination the franchise has lacked since the departures of John Wall and Bradley Beal.
The NBA trade season is truly well underway, as the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards sent shockwaves throughout the entire league by trading Trae Young in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
The Washington Wizards have had several players from the franchise’s past be recognized for their achievements and accolades during their time with the team.
Part of what makes the NBA, or any pro sports league, so compelling to watch is the narratives, especially those centered on rivalries. Throughout the decades, the NBA has fostered a number of rivalries, some long-lasting and others short but sweet.
The Washington Wizards’ decision to acquire Trae Young may ultimately reshape how the franchise’s 2024 NBA Draft choice is evaluated. On the latest episode
The deal is now official. The Hawks confirmed Thursday that they have traded franchise guard Trae Young to the Wizards in exchange for veteran guard CJ McCollum and wing Corey Kispert.
Trae Young did not hold back in his very honest farewell message for Atlanta Hawks fans. Young’s trade to the Washington Wizards was made official on Friday, and the star guard shared a farewell message for Hawks fans on social media.
Four-time All-Star guard Trae Young took to social media Friday morning to address "another opportunity" with the Washington Wizards as well as his time spent with the Atlanta Hawks.
The NBA had its first blockbuster trade of the season when Young was sent from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards, and the four-time All-Star has now addressed the move.
The Washington Wizards have been blessed to have some legendary players be a part of their franchise. From Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld winning a championship with the Bullets, to Michael Jordan and Russell Westbrook having short stints in Washington.
While former Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas approves of the Trae Young trade, the franchise’s 2010 first overall pick, John Wall, another memorable guard, will be honored.
The Washington Wizards have sent the NBA trade market into a frenzy after acquiring Trae Young for a relatively small price. With this blockbuster signifying the beginning of the trade season, Washington could be a heavy player in every deal leading up to the trade deadline.
Inside the organization, there’s confidence that the Wizards have the defensive personnel to help cover for Trae Young on that end of the floor. According to David Aldridge, Sam Amick, and Josh Robbins of The Athletic, Washington believes rim protector Alex Sarr and wing defender Bilal Coulibaly can help offset Young’s defensive limitations.
The Wizards still don’t know which path Trae Young plans to take. While rival executives have largely assumed Young will exercise his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, that decision has not been made, according to David Aldridge, Sam Amick, and Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
Over the past few years, the Washington Wizards have been a cellar dweller in the NBA. They have been quite bad and were never close enough to truly matter and contend for a title, let alone a playoff spot.
The Wizards are the top team on Trae Young‘s list of preferred destinations, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who stated during an appearance on NBA Today (Twitter video link) that the Hawks have gained some traction in their trade talks with Washington.
The Washington Wizards have been playing some improved basketball as of late, still well below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference but finally resembling a competitive NBA team.