The first seismic blockbuster trade leading to the deadline in a month’s time has taken place, and it’s the end of Trae Young’s time as the face of the Atlanta Hawks, as he’s been traded to the Washington Wizards. It’s the end of an era for the Hawks, and the beginning of another around a new core of Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels.
Young, a four-time All-Star who led Atlanta to the 2021 Conference Finals, was moved as his impact waned and the Hawks pivoted to a new core ahead of his looming $49 million player option. For Washington, it’s a statement move, betting on Young as the franchise face while chasing a play-in push. Now, let’s break down the deal and grades.
Breaking Down Trae Young to Wizards Trade: Who Wins the Deal?
Atlanta Hawks Receive: CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert.
Washington Wizards Receive: Trae Young.
Per ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, “The Atlanta Hawks are trading four-time NBA All-Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, sources tell ESPN.”
BREAKING: The Atlanta Hawks are trading four-time NBA All-Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/WIf8rhrRFu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 8, 2026
Furthermore, Jake Fischer of the Stein Line confirms, “There are no draft picks changing teams in this trade.”
League source confirms Trae Young is being dealt to Washington in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
There are no draft picks changing teams in this trade. https://t.co/AbxyysirmB
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) January 8, 2026
Essentially, this is a salary dump for the Hawks.
Atlanta Hawks Analysis
Once it became clear that both sides were not close to an extension, the writing was always on the wall for Young to be traded. By shedding themselves of Young’s $45 million salary and next season’s player option, they can now have Daniels’ extension kick in next season and stay under the luxury tax.
This deal provides flexibility for future moves, such as a potential trade for Anthony Davis. This is clearly Johnson’s team now, after his exciting season to date.
The Hawks receive veteran CJ McCollum. He’s having a typically strong year, averaging 18.8 points per game. He can handle the ball and still shoot effectively, providing an upgrade in shot creation.
Also, he’s a strong, veteran leader and may provide better leadership than Young’s questionable leadership in the locker room.
The Hawks are big fans of Kispert, the sharp-shooting wing. Kispert was a catch-and-shoot sniper from the perimeter coming out of Gonzaga, and while his pro career hasn’t necessarily taken off, he is a nice role player and a breakout candidate for the Hawks at 26.
For the season, he’s averaging slightly under 40% from the perimeter and 49% from the field. I like this addition for the Hawks; you can never have too much perimeter shooting, and he adds to their bench. It will be interesting to see what this means for Luke Kennard, though.
Overall, it’s essentially a salary dump, and receiving no draft compensation from the Wizards from a 4-time All-Star and last year’s assist leader is highly questionable.
Nevertheless, the statistics show that the Hawks were considerably worse with Young on the floor than without. Their defense was a sieve with him on the court. So, they obviously view this as an addition by subtraction, gaining cap flexibility.
Debating whether to give a B- due to no draft return, but I’ll opt for a B, as I expect them to make future moves with the flexibility.
Hawks Grade: B
Washington Wizards Analysis
The Wizards have been waiting to land a face of the franchise ever since Bradley Beal left. Meanwhile, they have patiently rebuilt through the draft. Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr are the two standout names on their roster, whilst also developing last year’s seventh overall pick, Bilal Coulibaly, and rookie sharp-shooter Tre Johnson.
It’s a youthful team, and they feel that Young can be the face of the team and take them to the next level with his elite playmaking. Travis Schlenk, the Wizards executive, knows Young very well, having been involved in drafting him during his time with the Hawks, so it may be a seamless fit.
Expect Young to set up Johnson for open threes and make the game easier for George and Sarr by opening up space for them as they’ll be primarily used off-ball, as Young will attract attention as a ball-dominant guard.
They’ll just have to hold their nose on the defensive end as Young puts little effort on that end of the floor. There are questions about whether Young helps players better around him despite his incredible assist numbers.
Still, this is a statement of intent from the Wizards; they’ve acquired a star still in his prime, for no draft compensation, and McCollum’s expiring. That’s a big win for a team that’s been in tank mode for a long time.
The popular saying goes that the team that acquires the best player in the deal wins the trade. The Wizards are banking on that to be the case. Young is certainly the best player in the deal and gives them a focal point in attack.
While it’s not an ideal fit, especially on defense, overall, they are banking on the value side of the deal being too good to pass up. I give them the edge in the deal because they added an All-Star without giving up anything.
Wizards Grade: A-
