> At a Glance
> – The Hawks trade Trae Young to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert
> – Young, a four-time All-Star, has played only 10 games this season
> – Washington sits at 10-26, Atlanta at 17-21 when the deal breaks
> – Why it matters: Washington lands a marquee playmaker while Atlanta resets around its younger core
Atlanta’s franchise cornerstone is on the move. In the first blockbuster of 2026, Trae Young heads to the nation’s capital, ending months of speculation that had circled the star point guard.
The Deal
Shams Charania of ESPN first reported the swap: Atlanta sends Young to Washington for guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert. No draft picks change hands.
The trade materializes two days after whispers of Young’s availability surfaced. Washington quickly emerged as his preferred landing spot.
What Washington Gets
- A 27-year-old four-time All-Star
- Elite playmaking (8.9 apg this season)
- Career averages of 24.2 ppg and 11.6 apg just last year
- A $48.9 million player option for next season before unrestricted free agency
Young’s 2025-26 numbers have dipped:
| Stat | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| PPG | 24.2 | 19.3 |
| APG | 11.6 | 8.9 |
| 3P% | 34.0 | 30.5 |
What Atlanta Receives
McCollum brings:
- 18.6 points per game on an expiring $30 million salary
- Potential play-in push alongside rising wings
Kispert adds:
- 9.2 points off the bench
- 39.5% shooting from deep
- 2021 No. 15 pick pedigree
New Directions
Atlanta pivots to its next era:
- Jalen Johnson paces the team at 24 ppg
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker posts career-high 20.5 ppg on 45/38/85 splits
- Cap flexibility arrives with McCollum’s expiring deal
Washington bets on Young rekindling star form:
- Surrounded by young scorers: Alex Sarr (17.2 ppg), Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly
- Veteran Khris Middleton already logging 23 starts
Key Takeaways
- Young leaves Atlanta after a 2018 conference-finals run stalled the franchise
- Wizards absorb his max-scale option without surrendering draft capital
- Hawks retain upside wings while gaining cap space
- Both clubs remain outside the East’s top eight, but new paths are set
The Southeast Division rivals swap problems for potential, reshaping their backcourts in one January phone call.
