NBA insider Marc Stein offered key details that must be observed in a potential Hawks-Wizards deal around Trae Young.
The Washington Wizards came out of nowhere as a "legitimate" trade destination for Trae Young. But in a potential deal, both the Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks have several considerations that must be met before completing a transaction around the All-Star guard.
Trae Young
Trae Young
Trae Young
MIN: 28.01
PTS: 19.3 (57.21%)
REB: 1.5
As: 8.9
ST: 0.9
BL: 0.2
TO: 2.6
GM: 10
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Wizards must attach several other players to match the salary of Young. As the deal would involve CJ McCollum (earning $30.7 million in his expiring contract), Washington has to add more pieces to get Young, who earns $46 million this season and holds a $49 million player option for 2026-27.
In addition, Stein noted that it remains to be seen if the Hawks need to send a draft asset to the Wizards just to accept Young's contract and arrival.
Young is enduring a rough campaign this 2025-26 out of injuries and inconsistencies, averaging 19.3 points on over 41 percent shooting and 8.9 assists in 10 games.
It is "increasingly expected" that he will exercise his 2026-27 player option out of the uncertain market he'll face this upcoming offseason.
Should Washington eventually land Young, the star guard will be reunited with Travis Schlenk. Schlenk, who now works as the Wizards' Senior Vice President of Player Personnel, is the former general manager and president of basketball operations for the Hawks.
He is primarily responsible for bringing Young to the Hawks via Luka Doncic trade during the 2018 draft day.
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