A new rumor reveals the new favorite to make a Trae Young trade, and it is sure to surprise many NBA fans.
The Atlanta Hawks seem to be at a major pivot point in their franchise. Over the last eight seasons, Trae Young has been the face of the brand, and he fairly earned that position. After a pair of losing years in his first two campaigns, the elite scorer carried them to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
Following their trip to the Conference Finals, Atlanta reached the playoffs the following two seasons. However, the team seemed to regress instead of getting better. Many NBA analysts began to believe that maybe Young was the problem. The organization seemed to agree, and the four-time All-Star’s name started to pop up in trade rumors over the last couple of seasons.
However, a deal never came close to happening because of how important the 27-year-old is to the franchise. But that’s changed this season due to the emergence of Jalen Johnson as a bona fide star in the game. It has made the idea of moving the face of the franchise far more palatable. Especially with a contract opt-out after the season.
Trae Young stats: 19.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 30% 3PT
Yet, while the Hawks are quite willing to move Young — especially to free up salary space for a rumored deal to land future Hall of Famer Anthony Davis — the market for him isn’t strong. He is set to make $48 million in 2026-27 if he doesn’t opt out, but his poor reputation is likely why teams aren’t falling over themselves to acquire Young.
“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 to match salary. He doesn’t defend, he doesn’t rebound, guys hate playing with him,” a league source told NBA insider Ryen Russillo last month.
Washington Wizards Working on Trae Young Trade
However, a new story suggests a future lottery team has emerged as a serious contender for his services. According to Marc Stein, the Washington Wizards are in “legitimate” trade talks to acquire the Texas native.
“The teams, according to league sources, have been discussing a trade construction centered around CJ McCollum’s expiring contract,” Stein reports. “… More salary would have to be added by Washington to make the math work in a trade for Young — and it remains to be seen whether the Hawks would also have to send the Wizards draft capital as a measure to convince them to absorb Young’s contract or if Washington would be making a direct play for Young — but the prospect of Atlanta trading its most popular player is only growing as the Feb. 5 trade deadline nears.”
“Sources tell The Stein Line that Young has been in communication in recent days with Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh and is aware of Atlanta’s ongoing efforts to canvass the trade market for their four-time NBA All-Star,” the NBA insider added.
The Wizards own one of the worst records in the NBA at 9-25. However, in a weak East, they are just 6.5 games out of a play-in spot. After missing the playoffs the last four years, Washington looks to be motivated to try to make the postseason in 2026.
