The Washington Wizards have made the first major move in 2026. With that, they have completely revamped their rebuild timeline along with it. The Wizards and Atlanta Hawks have swapped lead guards CJ McCollum and Trae Young in a trade that will send shockwaves around the league.
Wizards Land 4-Time NBA All-Star In Franchise-Altering Move
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Wizards will send both McCollum and Corey Kispert in exchange for Young. Washington has officially brought in the four-time NBA All-Star in what could end up being the biggest move of the still-young NBA season. This move will not only stun the league, but it will also send both franchises in two completely different directions.
Young and McCollum
Young and his agents were working with Atlanta’s front office for a potential deal. While he’s only played 10 games this season, he has been a staple in the league since his rookie year. He’s consistently been a top-five guard in the league the past five seasons, being selected to the All-NBA in 2021-22, and was last year’s assist champion.
Over the course of his eight seasons in the league, Young has averaged 25.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. He’ll now bring his offensive talents to the nation’s capital and alter the landscape of the franchise.
McCollum was brought in on a “rental” for Washington. Most assumed he’d be traded before the end of the season. If no deal was found, the Wizards almost certainly would not re-sign him. However, he’s been a serviceable player since entering the league in 2013.
McCollum has averaged 19.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds across his 13 years in the NBA. Now with Atlanta, the veteran should look to earn his keep with the Hawks before the season is over.
Washington’s Outlook
The Wizards have now brought in their star of the future to pair with the rising, two-headed beast of Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, along with the rest of the young talent in D.C. Young is the true playmaker that Washington was looking for since the trade that sent Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles.
With the recent play of Tre Johnson, Washington could look to prioritize defense and inside scoring in the 2026 NBA Draft, as they are primed to receive a lottery pick. Whatever the franchise decides to do, there is no denying Young has completely altered their rebuild outlook.
Atlanta’s Outlook
With this trade, the Hawks have signaled a potential rebuild. Trading their star player for an expiring contract in McCollum and a great rotational piece in Kispert. With Jalen Johnson leaping into stardom and players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu looking like potential pieces of the future, the Hawks will turn their roster around rather quickly compared to their trade partner.
Atlanta attempted to pair Young with 2023-24 NBA Champion Kristaps Porzingis in a surprising move that propelled the Hawks into preseason Finals contention. However, now in January, Atlanta looks primed to be in the Play-In for the third straight season.
The Last Word
This, no doubt, is the biggest move since the Luka Doncic deal last season. Both teams should look to prioritize young players’ development in the coming months while the season churns on.
Washington and Atlanta have two games left in their season series. Being split one-one heading into Atlanta for the final two games, look for the city to be filled with hype as Young makes his return to A-Town in late February.
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