Young 'ecstatic' about NBA move from Hawks to Wizards
Trae Young Embraces Fresh Start in Washington Following Blockbuster Trade
After eight seasons as the face of the Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young is officially heading to the nation’s capital, and the four-time All-Star is wasting no time expressing his enthusiasm. Following a mid-season trade that sent him to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veterans CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, Young took to social media to share his reaction, describing himself as "ecstatic" about the next chapter of his career.
"I'm walking into this next chapter ecstatic, with my head high and my eyes forward," Young wrote in a heartfelt post. "It's time to see what's possible when the support is real and the vision is clear."
The deal marks a significant pivot for both franchises. For Atlanta, it signals the definitive end of the Young era, a tenure highlighted by a memorable run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 but marred recently by stagnation and injuries. The Hawks have played the majority of the 2025-26 campaign without their star point guard due to lingering knee and quad issues, finding surprising success with a defensive-minded identity led by Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels. With the team boasting a winning record in Young's absence, the front office elected to move on rather than commit to a long-term extension.
For the Wizards, acquiring Young represents a bold, low-risk gamble to accelerate their rebuild. Washington absorbs Young’s contract into their ample cap space without surrendering any draft capital. The move reunites Young with Wizards executive Travis Schlenk, the man who originally drafted him in Atlanta. The Wizards hope Young’s elite playmaking can unlock the offensive potential of their young core, particularly 2024 No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr and rookie guard Bub Carrington.
While Young’s debut may be delayed as he recovers from a quadriceps contusion, his arrival injects undeniable star power into a Washington squad looking for direction. As he leaves the city that raised him, Young’s focus is clearly on proving that a change of scenery is exactly what he needs to return to All-NBA form.
After eight seasons as the face of the Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young is officially heading to the nation’s capital, and the four-time All-Star is wasting no time expressing his enthusiasm. Following a mid-season trade that sent him to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veterans CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, Young took to social media to share his reaction, describing himself as "ecstatic" about the next chapter of his career.
"I'm walking into this next chapter ecstatic, with my head high and my eyes forward," Young wrote in a heartfelt post. "It's time to see what's possible when the support is real and the vision is clear."
The deal marks a significant pivot for both franchises. For Atlanta, it signals the definitive end of the Young era, a tenure highlighted by a memorable run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 but marred recently by stagnation and injuries. The Hawks have played the majority of the 2025-26 campaign without their star point guard due to lingering knee and quad issues, finding surprising success with a defensive-minded identity led by Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels. With the team boasting a winning record in Young's absence, the front office elected to move on rather than commit to a long-term extension.
For the Wizards, acquiring Young represents a bold, low-risk gamble to accelerate their rebuild. Washington absorbs Young’s contract into their ample cap space without surrendering any draft capital. The move reunites Young with Wizards executive Travis Schlenk, the man who originally drafted him in Atlanta. The Wizards hope Young’s elite playmaking can unlock the offensive potential of their young core, particularly 2024 No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr and rookie guard Bub Carrington.
While Young’s debut may be delayed as he recovers from a quadriceps contusion, his arrival injects undeniable star power into a Washington squad looking for direction. As he leaves the city that raised him, Young’s focus is clearly on proving that a change of scenery is exactly what he needs to return to All-NBA form.
