After spending more than seven seasons as the face of the Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young is beginning a new chapter in his NBA career. Atlanta officially moved the star guard to the Washington Wizards in a deal that brought CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Hawks.
Young has not yet suited up for Washington, as he is currently dealing with a right quadriceps contusion. NBA insider Evan Sidery shed light on how the Wizards are approaching the situation.
“The Wizards are fully incentivized to be cautious with Trae Young due to their 2026 pick protection status,” Sidery reported. Washington’s 1st is top-8 protected, which conveys to the Knicks if they fall outside there. With Young battling injuries, Washington will play it very safe this season.”
The Wizards are fully incentivized to be cautious with Trae Young due to their 2026 pick protection status.
Washington’s 1st is top-8 protected, which conveys to the Knicks if they fall outside there.
With Young battling injuries, Washington will play it very safe this season. pic.twitter.com/LDHIlyA4nF
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 8, 2026
The Athletic also reported that Young’s Wizards debut could be pushed back due to his current condition.
“Young returned from his knee sprain on Dec. 18 and played five games (in which Atlanta went 0-5) and last played Dec. 27 before suffering a right quadriceps contusion,” the report read. “The sprain, though, is not fully healed, and Washington will give Young as much time as he needs to get completely healthy.”
Injuries have significantly limited Young this season, as he has played in just 10 games so far. The Wizards are reportedly committed to allowing him to fully recover from his health issues before placing him back on the floor.
Jalen Johnson Reflects on Trae Young’s Impact in Atlanta
Following the trade, Hawks forward and Trae Young’s longtime teammate Jalen Johnson shared heartfelt thoughts on what Young meant to him and the organization.
“Trey was great,” Johnson said. “He was great to have around. Just from day one, he always showed me love. I’m very appreciative of the time we spent together and everything he’s done for this organization, everything he’s done for me. I’m excited for him, and it’s the next step in Washington. He was always himself. I think I respect that most about him.”
“You know, he always cared about his teammates, you know, despite what everybody said. He was somebody that just loved to make everybody around him better. So I think that’s one of the things I picked up early from him. We talked about it as a team. He said what he said. And, yeah, it was kind of emotional. But that’s just the business of it.”
Young exits Atlanta as a four-time All-Star, averaging 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, shooting 35.1 percent from three-point range, and standing as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and three-pointers.
