Why the Trae Young trade return was so underwhelming, and what’s next for Hawks
The New York Times••general
Key Points:
- After seven-and-a-half seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young was traded to the Washington Wizards in a salary dump deal involving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, with no draft picks exchanged.
- Young's trade marked the end of an era, as he was once the franchise's most dynamic offensive player but had become a reserve wing due to injuries and declining performance.
- The Hawks' improved team depth, including Jalen Johnson's emergence and a high lottery pick from a draft-day trade, made moving Young's $49 million salary more feasible for their future flexibility.
- The trade limits Atlanta's ability to pursue high-profile in-season trades, such as for Anthony Davis, due to salary matching constraints with the acquired players
