The Atlanta Hawks have officially traded Trae Young, ending an eight-year relationship with the guard after days of speculation. In return for the four-time All-Star, Atlanta received CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert from the Washington Wizards, a deal that reshapes the roster and rotation.
Young has been the Hawks’ primary point guard since being drafted in 2018, creating a major void with his departure. Earlier this season, when Young was sidelined, Atlanta witnessed Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker share the ball-handling duties, with one sliding over to shooting guard depending on the lineup.
Now, McCollum is expected to take over as the primary floor general. That shift allows Daniels to move back to his more natural role at shooting guard, where he has proven to be the most comfortable.
The rest of the starting lineup is likely to remain unchanged, with Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson as the forwards and either Onyeka Okongwu or Kristaps Porzingis playing the center. Alexander-Walker figures to move into a bench role, where he could become a key piece leading the second unit.
Kispert also adds value off the bench, providing reliable shooting for the second unit. He is projected to be the backup SG to Daniels and see consistent minutes in the rotation. The reserves unit is also expected to feature Luke Kennard, Vit Krejci, Mouhamed Gueye, Asa Newell, and whichever of Porzingis or Okongwu does not start at center.
Atlanta Hawks snap two-game skid immediately after trading Trae Young away
News of the Atlanta Hawks’ blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards involving Trae Young broke in the middle of their clash against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Shortly after the announcement, Young embraced his teammates and acknowledged the Atlanta crowd before heading back to the locker room before the final buzzer went off.
Despite the distraction, Atlanta secured a 117-110 victory, snapping a two-game losing streak.
Zaccharie Risacher led the way, drilling seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 25 points performance. Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker also had notable contributions, combining for 36 points and 11 assists.
With the win, Atlanta now improves to 18-21 and currently sits ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. Their schedule ahead, however, will not be easy. The Hawks are set to face a challenging slate over the next 10 days that includes games against the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston Celtics.
Read More: Washington Wizards Depth Chart After Trading for Trae Young
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