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After a whirlwind of rumors, the first major trade of the new year was made. The Atlanta Hawks dealt Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Young signed his rookie contract with the Hawks back in 2018 and quickly became a franchise star. His run with the franchise resulted in three playoff appearances, with the furthest push taking them to the Eastern Conference Finals.
This season, Young is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists over 10 games. The 27-year-old has made limited appearances due to ongoing injuries.
Meanwhile, McCollum is averaging 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists over 35 games. The 34-year-old guard is the Wizards’ current leader in points for this season.
Criticism For the Atlanta Hawks
During a recent appearance on No Fouls Given, Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce shared his thoughts on Atlanta’s decision to move Young.
“So for them to give up a four-time All-Star, a guy who is one of the elite point guards in the league who has got them to the Eastern Conference [Finals], and not even get a draft pick out of it? That tells me you just wanted him out of your city, out of your state.”
Pierce later suggested that the Hawks will not raise a championship banner for years to come.
“Organizations like this will never win a championship in my lifetime. I guarantee that. If they do, I will crawl from L.A. to New York on my knees… They’re going to be a middling franchise for eternity.”
With an 18-21 record, the Hawks hold the ninth seed in a tightly-packed Eastern Conference. The franchise is seeking its first playoff appearance since 2023.
The Hawks’ standout players include Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kristaps Porzingis, Dyson Daniels, and Onyeka Okongwu. With 30-year-old Porzingis serving as Atlanta’s oldest player, the team boasts one of the youngest rosters in the NBA.
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