Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Capitals Make Trae Young Request After Hawks-Wizards Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rexwell Villas | Last updated Jan 9, 2026 10:10 PM ET

It's a new beginning for NBA star point guard Trae Young, who has finally found his way out of the Atlanta Hawks.

The former Oklahoma Sooners star will have to get used to his new surroundings, as he is now with the Washington Wizards following a trade from Atlanta.

It will take some time for everyone to get used to seeing Young in a Wizards uniform, but Washington is already giving him a warm welcome.

Even the Washington Capitals are doing their part to ensure Young is settling in nicely in Washington.

"Come chill at the rink," the Capitals told Young via a comment on X to Young's social media message to the Wizards and their fans.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) fist bumps his son Sergei (not pictured) through the glass after the Capitals' game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena.Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Wizards have not been a relevant franchise for several years, but they are hoping Young’s arrival will spark a competitive revival for a team that last made the NBA playoffs in 2021 and hasn’t had a winning season since the 2017–18 campaign.

While the Wizards still appear unlikely to make the playoffs this season, Washington sports fans have reason to believe the Capitals will get them their postseason fix.

The Capitals have reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 10 of the past 11 seasons, and despite some struggles in the current campaign, they remain in a strong position to secure a postseason spot.

This will also be just the first time in Young's NBA career that he's playing for a city that also has an NHL club, so perhaps fans can expect him to show up for some Capitals games at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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