The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to trade Trae Young to the Washington Wizards after seven-plus seasons together. (Brynn Anderson/AP)
Before a run of mediocre basketball and fan apathy culminated Wednesday with his trade to the Washington Wizards, Trae Young delivered the longest playoff run in the history of the Atlanta Hawks.
The year was 2021, and the NBA was still getting its bearings during the coronavirus pandemic. Atlanta began a shortened 72-game season in disorganized fashion and quickly fired Lloyd Pierce as coach. Outsiders assumed nothing much would change under Nate McMillan, Pierce’s replacement.