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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 Atlanta Hawks made it clear they were trading Trae Young to the best offer once both sides realized it was time to part ways this season. Atlanta ended up moving Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young’s desire to play for a team that valued him was the main reason, and the Wizards appear content to rebuild with Trae as their current face of the franchise moving forward.
Jake Fischer reported that Atlanta turned down an offer from the Toronto Raptors last season before they were ready to trade Young:
“Sources say that Toronto actually offered a package built around Quickley and draft capital for Young before last February’s trade deadline and maintained a level of interest in Young this season.
Yet sources say that the Hawks had no interest in a Quickley-headlined package given the future money he’s owed. The Hawks staunchly prioritized the ample flexibility they now have before the Feb. 5 trade buzzer and possibly into free agency.“
Immanuel Quickley was the main piece offered to Atlanta, but the Hawks showed no interest in adding him to the roster. Atlanta hopes to acquire stronger talent and keep their cap situation flexible for future roster construction.
Why Toronto Raptors Wanted Trae Young
Toronto has overachieved this season as a team hoping to make some noise in the playoffs. Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett remain the core pieces, but Quickley is considered an expendable talent. The Raptors hoped to trade him for a more traditional point guard like Young to improve the overall offense.
Young is a strong scorer, but his ability to deliver many assists would help Toronto with so many scorers on the roster. Raptors management saw the vision of having four strong offensive players in the starting lineup, especially since they’ve developed a defensive identity that could mask Young’s defensive struggles.
Unfortunately, Atlanta didn’t have interest in this deal either season due to Quickley’s contract harming their plans for the option to add new talents this offseason. Jalen Johnson emerging as the face of the franchise has caused the Hawks to prioritize cap flexibility to add better talent around him for this new chapter.
Trae Young Wanted Deal To Washington
Young’s voice mattered in this trade since he accomplished a lot in Atlanta and helped the franchise experience some greater relevance during the best moments. The deal featured Washington committing to wanting Young on their roster and potentially extending him to another contract down the line.
Toronto making it clear they wanted to extend Young might have made him view the Raptors as an ideal team. Unfortunately, the Raptors lacked expiring contracts to make up the cap space that gives the Wizards their ideal flexibility.
McCollum’s contract and his ability to contribute this season made him the perfect veteran for the Hawks to acquire. Both Young and the Hawks felt that Washington was the best option to make the move instead of waiting until the deadline. Toronto may be active as well trying to move Quickley for another point guard on the market.