It’s a big change for 27-year-old Trae Young, transcendent NBA superstar. He’s only recently transitioned from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards, pasting sweet Atlanta love notes all over his bid adieu. Young is in the fourth year of a five-year, $215 million max contract. This agreement brings with it a $49 million player option next season, and he opened up to us about how he felt taking this huge step away from his career.
Young was selected as the fifth overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. Since then, he’s accomplished quite a bit in his brief time on the court. He averaged a chalking 25.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 9.8 assists points per game. With those numbers spread over 493 regular-season matches, he became a major force within the league. This season though, he’s faced extreme adversity because of injuries. He had already missed six straight contests due to a right quad contusion and a right knee MCL sprain. In the ten games Young has been active this year, he’s putting up 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game.
The switch came in the middle of a game, and it proved to be an emotional moment for Young. Going down to the Hawks’ arena one last time, he reflected on more than three decades spent there. As the weight of emotion overtook him, tears streamed down his face for much of the drive.
“I literally started crying on my way to the arena, just knowing it’s my last drive probably, because they’re [Hawks] going on the West Coast anyway.” – Trae Young
Young definitely displayed an emotional side here, getting the last shot off from the home court. He made these comments just before the Hawks’ thrilling win against the New Orleans Pelicans. This act revealed his profound love for the team. It honored one of the most catalytic chapters of his career.
By Thursday morning, Young was on the Wizards’ team plane flying back to Washington D.C. As he thought about his new start, he felt excited and terrified all at once. He recognized that while he was leaving behind a place filled with memories, he was stepping into an opportunity for renewal and growth.
As of January 9, Young was officially welcomed with open arms by Wizards general manager Will Dawkins. On-the-court at Capital One Arena, in the midst of a press conference. During this event, he sounded excited about the possibility of spending his career with the Wizards and in Washington, D.C.
“The city can revive me as much as I can revive it. That’s a big reason why I want to come here. I want to be an impactful person and player everywhere I go. So, as much as I’m going to try to revive the city, I need the city and this team to give me as much as we’re going to give them.” – Trae Young
Young’s ties to Oklahoma deepens the significance of his journey. His roots in the state contribute to his sense of identity and motivation as he starts this new chapter with the Wizards.
Young will be coming to the Wizards with his prolific stats from the Atlanta Hawks. He leaves behind a legacy from Atlanta, where he became the franchise’s all-time leader in made three-pointers and assists. His ability to connect with players catapulted the Hawks to those 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. More than anything, they captured the attention of basketball fans all across the country.
That could make the transition a little bittersweet both for Young and for Hawks fans. All of us are pleased to see him bring his combo of skills and fierce determination to Washington. Like his short tenure suggests, the Wizards are hoping that his hiring and culture building will reinvigorate their roster and lead to a more competitive culture in the future.
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