> At a Glance
> – The Washington Wizards have acquired Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks
> – Outbound: CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert
> – No draft picks involved
> – Why it matters: Washington gets a four-time All-Star to rebuild around while Atlanta resets its backcourt
The Wizards shook up the Eastern Conference on January 8, 2026, by landing four-time All-Star point guard Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Trade Details
The deal, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, sends Young to the nation’s capital without any draft compensation changing hands. McCollum’s $30 million expiring contract and Kispert’s bench scoring head to Atlanta as the Hawks look to retool around their current core.
Young’s Recent Performance
Young’s production has dipped this season, appearing in only 10 games while averaging:
- 19.3 points
- 8.9 assists
- 1.5 rebounds
- 1.0 steals
His shooting splits sit at 41.5% from the field, 30.5% from three, and 86.3% from the line-down from last season’s 24.2-point, 11.6-assist campaign.
What Washington Gets
The 27-year-old floor general provides the Wizards with elite playmaking and a proven playoff performer. Young’s $48.9 million player option for next season precedes unrestricted free agency, giving Washington flexibility moving forward.
Atlanta’s Return
The Hawks receive:
- CJ McCollum: 18.6 PPG on an expiring deal
- Corey Kispert: 9.2 PPG, 39.5% from deep
Atlanta sits at 17-21, while Washington owns a 10-26 record. The Hawks will now build around Jalen Johnson (24 PPG) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (20.5 PPG on 45/38/85 splits).
Key Takeaways
- Washington lands a franchise-caliber point guard without surrendering draft capital
- Atlanta clears the way for its young core while adding shooting and cap relief
- Young’s declining efficiency remains a concern for his new team
- The move keeps both franchises in the Eastern Conference playoff conversation
This trade signals Washington’s commitment to building a competitive roster around Young’s unique skillset.
