The NBA landscape shifted on Wednesday night as the Atlanta Hawks agreed to part ways with their franchise cornerstone, sending high-scoring guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. In return, Atlanta will acquire veteran guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement.
Details of the Blockbuster Deal
The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade is pending league approval, confirmed the framework of the move. The deal was first reported as being close by NBA insider Marc Stein, with ESPN later confirming an agreement was in place.
The immediate signs of the impending trade were visible during Wednesday night's games. The Wizards held both CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert out of their loss in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Trae Young was conspicuously on the Atlanta bench in street clothes during the Hawks' victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Trae Young's Complicated Legacy in Atlanta
Young's departure ends a significant chapter for the Hawks, who selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Since entering the league, his offensive production has been undeniable. He ranks 10th in total points and 12th in points per game among all players since his debut. More impressively, he stands first in both total assists and assists per game over that same span.
This places him in elite company. Young is one of only five players to rank in the top 10 in both points and assists since the 2018-19 season. The others are Denver's Nikola Jokic, the Lakers' Luka Doncic, the Clippers' James Harden, and Phoenix's Devin Booker—a group featuring MVPs, champions, and Olympic gold medalists.
Despite these numbers, Young's time in Atlanta was marked by criticism and questions about his impact on winning. He is a four-time All-Star, though only two of those selections came via fan and media voting; the other two were as injury replacements appointed by Commissioner Adam Silver.
A Statistical Divide and a Fresh Start
The 2026 season highlighted a puzzling trend for the Hawks. The team's record with and without Young told a starkly different story. Atlanta struggled to a 2-8 record in games Young played, but posted a much stronger 16-13 mark in his absence. This pattern extended throughout his career, with the Hawks winning 49% of games without him versus 45% when he was on the court.
Now, both player and franchise seek a reset. Young heads to Washington aiming to prove he can be the centerpiece of a winning team. The Hawks, in turn, acquire the proven scoring and leadership of CJ McCollum, along with the promising young wing Corey Kispert, as they reshape their roster for the future.
The trade, once finalized with league approval, will immediately alter the dynamics of both Eastern Conference teams and will be one of the most talked-about moves of the NBA season.
