Earlier this week, the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards completed the first trade of the 2025-26 NBA season. Star guard Trae Young was sent to the Wizards in exchange for C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert.
It had long been rumored that Young and the Hawks were headed for a split, and now both sides get a fresh start. On Friday, Young delivered a heartfelt final message to Hawks fans.
Trae Young Appreciative of Time in Atlanta
Young spent almost eight years in Atlanta, and anytime you spend that long somewhere, you’re going to have mixed feelings when you leave. After the trade became official, Young took to social media to pen a letter to the city of Atlanta and the fans.
“Never thought I’d be typing this,” Young began the letter, before reflecting on the last eight years and both the historic highs and devastating lows.
The star explained that winning a championship for Atlanta was always his goal, but “injuries, setbacks, and situations that didn’t make sense,” prevented him from reaching that goal.
…Another Opportunity🙏🏽💯❄️ pic.twitter.com/jDk09ZI8BZ
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 9, 2026
“The city that raised me and taught me so much will always be a chapter in this story,” Young wrote, adding that the pain of staying the same eventually outweighed the uncertainty of change. He said he is entering the next chapter “ecstatic,” with his “head high and eyes forward.”
Young averaged 25.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds over his career with the Hawks. The guard led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2020-21 season, where they ultimately fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.
Washington was reportedly Young’s preferred destination, and the guard is reunited with executive Travis Schlenk, who drafted him back in 2018. Now, the star guard joins an exciting young team with plenty of talent, including big man Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George.
Young, Wizards Preparing for New Chapter
The Wizards have been one of the least successful teams in the league over the last decade, but the hope is that adding Young will turn things around.
So far in the 2025-26 season, the Wizards are 10-26 and in fifth place in the Southeast Division. The team has not been to the playoffs since the 2020-21 season and has not won a playoff series since the 2016-17 season.
Young should immediately become the team’s go-to player and will be relied upon to help the young players develop. He has a player option worth over $48 million for the 2026-27 season, so he and the Wizards will soon need to reach an extension.
