Trae Young was traded to the Washington Wizards on Jan. 9, 2026, in a deal that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to Atlanta.
The former Hawks star says opportunity and belief played a significant role in his decision to join the Wizards after spending more than seven seasons in Atlanta.
Trae Young Reveals Why He Picked the Wizards
The Young-Wizards trade ended weeks of speculation about his future with the Hawks, where he had been the face of the franchise since his rookie season.
Young addressed the trade during his introductory press conference in Washington. Speaking to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, the four-time NBA All-Star explained why the Wizards appealed to him.
“I am just super excited,” Young said. “For me, D.C. is overlooked as far as a big market. I feel like this is a big market.”
Young added that the situation in Washington gives him a sense of freedom and trust.
“I just feel like I’m able to come into an opportunity to be myself,” Young said. “I’m around people that have known me for a long time and know the type of person I am and the type of winner I want to be.”
Young acknowledged the challenge ahead and said he understands the process will take time.
“I know it’s a day-by-day process,” Young said. “I know what it takes. It’s not going to be easy, but I know this is a place that I’m excited about.”
Trae on why he wanted to be a Wizard:
“D.C. is overlooked as far as a big market. I feel like this is a big market” pic.twitter.com/BqYhJV212r
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) January 9, 2026
Young spent the past 7.5 seasons with the Hawks after being selected fifth overall in the NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018. He was traded to Atlanta on draft night in exchange for the third overall pick, Luka Doncic. Young went on to become a centerpiece in Atlanta, earning four All-Star selections.
This season, however, marked a turning point. The Hawks did not offer Young a contract extension and also faced ongoing injury concerns. Young missed 22 games due to knee issues and appeared in only 10 games this season because of knee and quad injuries.
Despite his absence, Atlanta posted a surprising 13-9 record without him. That stretch raised questions about the team’s long-term direction and whether Young still fit into their plans.
Washington, meanwhile, had been searching for a long-term solution at point guard. The Wizards viewed Young as a veteran presence who could help guide a young core that includes Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson.
Young immediately becomes the Wizards’ top offensive option when healthy. However, his efficiency has dipped this season. He is shooting a career-low 30.5 percent from 3-point range.
Young will wear No. 3 with Washington, a change from his longtime No. 11 jersey in Atlanta.
Young’s Playing Time With the Wizards Could Be Limited This Season
Young’s availability remains uncertain. He is currently dealing with a sprained MCL, which he first suffered in October, along with a quad contusion. He did not play in Friday night’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
That said, on a recent episode of ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast, analyst Brian Windhorst said he does not expect Young to play frequently this season.
Windhorst explained that Washington may limit Young’s minutes to protect its 2026 first-round draft pick.
The Phoenix Suns own swap rights to the Wizards’ first-round pick, but the swap only applies if the Wizards finish outside the top eight in the draft order.
The Wizards currently hold the fourth-worst record in the NBA at 10-27. If that position holds, they would be guaranteed a top-eight pick.
For now, Young’s focus remains on settling into Washington and recovering his health. While questions remain about how often he will play, Young made it clear he believes the Wizards offer a fresh start for the next phase of his career.
