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Wizards acquire Trae Young from Hawks in NBA blockbuster

  • On January 8, 2026, the Washington Wizards acquired four-time All-Star Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in a player-for-players deal for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, ending Young's seven-plus-season Hawks tenure.
  • Top Washington executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins sought a proven lead guard while Atlanta front office led by Onsi Saleh declined to extend Trae Young and shifted roster direction.
  • Young averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in 10 games this season, posting a 41.5/30.5/86.3 shooting split and missed six games with a right quad contusion after a right MCL sprain.
  • The Wizards' payroll moves leave them $30 million below the luxury tax, opening a roster spot and clearing $46 million in cap room, while Atlanta gains CJ McCollum with a $30.6 million expiring contract and roughly $40 million in cap space to build around Jalen Johnson.
  • Wizards are not expected to pursue an immediate extension and will evaluate Young's health once he arrives in Washington; the deal contains no draft-pick compensation and reunites Young with Travis Schlenk ahead of the February trade deadline.
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The Washington Post broke the news in on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
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