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As trade rumors continue to swirl around Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, a perhaps unexpected suitor has reportedly “emerged.”
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Monday that the Washington Wizards are a “legitimate potential trade destination” for Young and noted such a deal would be “centered around CJ McCollum’s expiring contract.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania also reported on the situation, noting Young and the Hawks were working together on a possible move:
Washington is just 9-25 and not a realistic contender in the Eastern Conference, so acquiring such a noteworthy name and positioning itself as a buyer ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline may be a surprising move.
Yet Young would give it a headliner who could improve ticket revenue down the stretch of what is likely a lost season. He also has a player option for next season and likely wouldn’t be a long-term commitment, which would free up the front office to focus on rebuilding elsewhere for the 2026-27 campaign.
As for the Hawks, such a move would give them an expiring contract in McCollum who wouldn’t clog up the books for years to come and remove the chances that Young would opt into his $49 million player option for next season and limit the team’s overall flexibility moving forward.
They also may not have a large market of contenders to choose from in a bidding-war situation either considering Sam Amick of The Athletic, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Stein all previously reported there isn’t a significant trade market at this point.
Insider Ryen Russillo also got a noteworthy response when he asked an NBA executive about Young’s trade market (17:44 mark).
“It’s hard to think of a team that’s trying to win this season that Trae would help, especially once you factor in what that team would be losing from the players they would have to send back as matching salary,” the executive said. “He doesn’t defend. He doesn’t rebound. Guys hate playing with him.”
Young has played just 10 games this season, is shooting a career-worst 30.5 percent from deep and has always had defensive concerns. Throw in his playing style as a ball-dominant creator, and adding him to a contending lineup would be quite an adjustment for everyone involved.
He may be a four-time All-Star, but it doesn’t seem like the Hawks are going to get a significant return haul if they do trade him to the Wizards or any other team.