Getty
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 21: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on December 21, 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 Washington Wizards are one of the worst teams in the NBA. Right now, they sit as the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference. Only the oft-injured Indiana Pacers are worse than the Wizards right now. With that being the case, they haven’t had much to look forward to.
Despite how poorly the team has played so far this season, they have been linked as a possible trade target for the Hawks as they look to trade Trae Young. Young is one of the superstars who has been made available ahead of the trade deadline this season.
As the Hawks and Young try to work together to find a possible new home for him, Young has now revealed that the Wizards are the preferred trade destination for him.
GettyAtlanta Hawks guard Trae Young shoots the ball. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Wizards Emerge as Top Trade Destination for Trae Young
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Young has decided that the Wizards are the team at the top of his preferred destinations in a trade. Young has one year left on his contract, and it is a player-option worth $49 million. He could decide to become a free agent this offseason.
Picking the Wizards is a strange choice for Young. Washington has assembled a roster that is full of young players. How Young would fit into that fold is unclear. The Wizards would likely send back a mixture of C.J. McCollum and picks back, which would allow Washington to keep their young core.
Young is putting up the worst stats since his rookie season. His trade value is the lowest that it has ever been, which is why the Wizards’ price wouldn’t be as high as it would have been before the season. Young might just be choosing Washington for contract purposes.
GettyAtlanta Hawks guard Trae Young gets fouled. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Wizards Might Trade for Trae Young
Adding Young to the lineup this season wouldn’t do much for the Wizards. They are too far back in the standings to make the playoffs. Adding Young would only be a signal that the Wizards are trying to sell more tickets for the end of the season, unless they sign him to a contract extension.
Signing him to a big deal would give Washington its first star player since trading away Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. Young would be part of the Wizards’ core moving forward, along with Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr. He would be charged with helping those two players develop.
Of course, the Hawks do not have to trade Young to the Wizards just because he wants to go there. They will wait to get the best possible deal before deciding to deal him. Washington will likely try to keep as many first-round picks as possible in any trade.
Young will likely be one of the first players traded this season, as no players have been traded yet this season.