The Washington Wizards move to aquire Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in a blockbuster trade raised plenty of questions.
Not only were the Wizards intentions behind a move for Young confusing considering their position in the NBA standings and need to secure a top-8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but the reasoning for why Atlanta moved on from their former top five pick so quickly also raised eyebrows.
As a four-time All-Star, many believed that Young would land the Hawks a pretty solid package in return, with draft assets being the focal point of any deal returning to Atlanta.
However, instead of maximizing a return for Young, Atlanta essentially took one of the first offers they were presented following Young listing the Wizards as his preferred landing spot.
With a split occurring pretty quickly behind doors, Young was seemingly dealt days after the news of him becoming available for trade was reported.
Nonetheless, the trade to send the guard to Washington wasn't the biggest question, but instead the fact that Atlanta failed to land any draft compensation for the 27-year-old star was the biggest concern.
At least it was when the trade first occured.
Now, with the impacts of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in Atlanta, it's beginning to seem like the Hawks front office was simply prioritizing roster fit and flexibility to make win-now moves rather than press the rebuild button.
CJ McCollum & Corey Kispert have impressed in Atlanta
The Hawks have made their intentions to build around emerging star Jalen Johnson crystal clear,
Landing CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in exchange for Young quietly provided plenty of positives for Atlanta to do exactly that.
For starters, McCollum's expiring contract will be attractive in trade discussions, especially for team's looking maximize financial flexibility, which for a team like Atlanta who's reportedly pursuing a star like Anthony Davis in a trade, that alone could be pivotal in getting a deal done.
Not to mention, McCollum is a player who can contribute at a high-level while he is in Atlanta.
Following his 25-point outing in the Hawks last game, the veteran guard is proving exactly that.
As for Kispert, the 3-and-D wing is the exact type of sixth man player that could be a major contributor on a playoff team.
With his ability to serve as a sharpshooting sparkplug off the bench or a spot starter, the Gonzaga product could be a major asset for the retooling in Atlanta, especially considering the roster the Hawks' front office is looking to build.