This time last season, it would have seemed like a joke if anyone said that an All-Star on the trade market was hoping for a trade to the Washington Wizards.
However, in one years time, it seems as if the future outlook for the Wizards has changed drastically.
Recent reports suggest that Atlanta Hawks and star Trae Young are nearing a split with the two sides working together in hopes of finding a trade partner for the former top five pick.
Originally, it was believed that despite Washington emerging as a legitimate contender for the playmaker, that the Hawks would wait things out with the hopes that a bidding war could start ahead of the NBA trade deadline in February with desperate teams driving up the value.
Nonetheless, with Young and his camp declaring a preferred destination on Wednesday, it seems as if a trade for the star guard is bound to happen sooner rather than later.
Trae Young list Wizards as preferred destination
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Wizards have been listed as the preferred landing spot by Trae Young and his camp, with the hopes that a trade could be completed in the near future.
Trae Young has the Washington Wizards as his top preferred trade destination, sources tell ESPN. Atlanta is working to move Young, who has a $49 million player option in offseason that would make him an expiring contract; or opt out, leave and give Hawks significant cap space. https://t.co/LUm2hJCj1z
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 7, 2026
Some fans may be in favor of a Young move, some may be on the fence and there may be others who are completely against the idea of adding a defensive liability like Young to their core.
Regardless, with both Young and CJ McCollum, who would be the framework of any potential deal, listed as out for each team's games on Wednesday night, it seems as if a trade is growing imminent at this point.
Washington has made it clear about their desire to find an adequate answer at point guard to pair alongside emerging big man Alex Sarr.
While Young may have his shortcomings on the defensive end, what he'll be able to offer offensively as a true playmaking point guard that can demand the offense for head coach Brian Keefe, it's easy to see exactly why the Wizards decision makers are fond of making this move.
The Oklahoma product could rejuvenate himself in Washington using a fresh start to his advantage and bounce back from his regression in the DMV. Along with preparing himself for a bounce back, he could be the key to unlocking the potential for several other young prospects on the roster.
On the off chance the deal backfires and Young doesn't fit the role Washington envisioned, the 27-year-old guard will almost certainly be a much easier player to trade compared to an aging veteran like McCollum.