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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 23: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against the Chicago Bulls during the second quarter at State Farm Arena on December 23, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Hawks are trying to help Trae Young find a new home. This comes after both parties decided that it was best if Young moved on to another organization. Atlanta has played better without Young in the lineup this season, as they are just 2-8 with him on the court.
Young has battled injuries, playing in just 10 games so far this year. He is also putting up the worst stats since his rookie campaign. The Hawks are not willing to give him a contract extension, so Young would like to play the remainder of the season with another team.
As the Hawks continue to look for a trade partner for Young, he has made his preferred trade destination known, and it’s the Washington Wizards
GettyAtlanta Hawks guard Trae Young dribbles the ball. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Trae Young Wants to be Traded to the Wizards
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Young has the Wizards at the top of his preferred destination list. Young has just one year left on his deal after this year, and it is a $49 million player-option. That means he will either play one year at his new destination or become a free agent after this year.
Washington seems like an odd destination for Young. Right now, the Wizards sit 14th in the Eastern Conference standings. They have no hope of making the playoffs. It seems that Young believes he can put up some monster stats while playing for them and sign a big deal afterwards.
If Young did play in Washington for the rest of the season, it’s unlikely that Young would sign a contract extension with the franchise. He would likely opt out at the end of this season and search for a massive contract from another team in free agency.
GettyAtlanta Hawks guard Trae Young looks on. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Hawks Will Look to Extract as Much as Possible From Washington
If the Hawks do decide to trade Young to the Wizards, they are going to try to extract as much as they can from them. It would likely be C. J. McCollum and a combination of future picks. Adding McCollum would give Atlanta a veteran guard who can still score the ball.
The future first-round picks would be the prize for the Hawks in this scenario. Washington would likely try to heavily protect those picks. Giving up only one unprotected first-round pick is the preferred scenario from their point of view. Of course, that might not be enough to get a deal done.
Atlanta does not have to trade Young to the Wizards. That is just the team that he prefers the most. The Hawks will trade him to whatever team is able to give them the most in return. Currently, they sit 10th in the East standings, so they are seeking a way to get better right now.
Young is going to be a player to watch over the next week or so. He could be the first player to be dealt this season.