Luka Doncic and Trae Young
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Luka Doncic and Trae Young during a game in January 2024
Trae Young dominated headlines on Wednesday as weeks of trade speculation culminated in a long-anticipated move.
The Atlanta Hawks dealt the four-time All-Star to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, with no draft compensation believed to be included.
The deal ends Young’s seven-plus season run as the face of the Hawks franchise and sends him to his preferred destination in the nation’s capital, immediately becoming one of the most talked-about trades of the season.
Few players have careers more closely linked to Young’s than Luka Doncic. From the moment the two were connected on draft night, comparisons have followed them relentlessly.
Years later, even as they now occupy different stages of their careers, that connection continues to resonate.
Luka Doncic Responds to Trae Young Trade
Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 107-91 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, Doncic was asked about Young’s move and offered a calm, respectful response that reflected the long-standing bond between the two stars.
“Obviously we came together, we got traded for each other,” Doncic said. “There’s been a lot of talk about me and him, but we have a good relationship. I have a lot of respect for him. So if he’s excited for this new journey, I’m excited for him.”
The comments came after a dominant performance from Doncic, who recorded a 38-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. His reaction carried no hint of rivalry or resentment, instead showing the mutual respect between two players whose careers have been intertwined since entering the league.
On draft night in 2018, Atlanta selected Doncic with the third overall pick before trading him to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Trae Young and a protected future first round selection. That decision shaped the trajectory of both franchises and permanently linked the two guards in NBA discourse.
Since then, both players have left a significant mark on the league in different ways. According to StatMuse, Doncic leads all active players in points per game, while Young sits atop the assists per game list.
Both rank top-five all time in those categories and are first and second in 30-point, 10-assist performances since 2019. Notably, each has now been traded from their original draft team this year with only a single first round pick involved.
What the Trade Means for Atlanta and Washington
Atlanta, currently ninth in the Eastern Conference at 18-21, now turns the page toward a new era built around Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher.
The addition of McCollum provides veteran scoring and leadership, while his $30.6 million expiring contract offers significant flexibility ahead of the trade deadline or the offseason.
The Hawks also retain valuable draft assets, including the more favorable of the New Orleans Pelicans or Milwaukee Bucks first round pick in the upcoming draft.
For Young, the move brings a fresh start. He holds a $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, which he is widely expected to exercise after earning $46.3 million this season.
According to ESPN, Washington are not expected to rush into extension talks, with both sides set to evaluate his health following a right MCL sprain earlier this season.
Young leaves Atlanta as the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers and assists, having guided the Hawks to three playoff appearances, including an Eastern Conference finals run in 2021. This season, he averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in 10 games.
The Wizards, now 10-26 and near the bottom of the East, believe they have added a true centerpiece to lead their young core into the next phase of a long-term rebuild and accelerate their push toward competitiveness.