Earlier today, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Washington Wizards were Trae Young's top preferred trade destination. Just a few hours after that, Charania broke the news that the Wizards traded for the 27-year-old guard, sending CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Hawks.
The past few days have been an absolute whirlwind, with NBA insider Marc Stein reporting on Monday that the Wizards and Hawks were engaged in trade talks for Young. No one thought that a deal would happen this soon, though, not 29 days before the Feb. 5 deadline.
It became apparent on Wednesday afternoon that something was going on, as Washington ruled CJ McCollum out with right quad soreness, his first missed game of the season. A little later, the team ruled Kispert out. Young didn't suit up for Atlanta either, missing his sixth straight game with a right quad contusion.
It turns out that Young's final game with the Hawks was on Dec. 27, a loss to the Knicks. The next game he suits up for will be for the Wizards, which is wild to think about. He's where he wants to be, which is even wilder to think about.
Wizards acquire Trae Young in trade with Hawks
Based on reports, Washington is the only real suitor that emerged for Young. A large part of the reason for that is his contract. He's making $46.4 million this season and has a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season. The Wizards have the cap space to absorb his salary this season and, if he picks up his option, next season as well.
What could be coming for Young and Washington is an extension in which the first year would replace his player option. Maybe the Wizards already signaled to the guard's camp that they will extend him, leading him to declare D.C. as his preferred destination.
He could be motivated by the money, but regardless, that doesn't change the fact that he chose Washington. Well, technically, it doesn't matter where he decided he wanted to play, as Atlanta's primary focus should have been on getting the best possible return. Luckily for the Wizards (or however you choose to look at it), the market for Young wasn't anything the Hawks hoped it would be.
It will still be a little while before he plays his first game for Washington, as his quad contusion wasn't just some random injury Atlanta came up with while it worked on a trade. Hopefully, he'll be cleared to make his Wizards debut soon. The atmosphere at Capital One Arena has been lackluster this season (and that might even be putting it nicely), but that will change now that Trae Young is in town.