Report: Wizards have ‘legitimate’ trade interest in Hawks’ Trae Young

The idea of the Wizards inserting themselves into the Trae Young conversation is no longer just background noise.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Washington has “legitimate” interest in Young, with any potential framework likely centered on CJ McCollum and his expiring contract.

Stein stopped short of calling it active talks, but the implication was clear: The Wizards wouldn’t be taking calls on a max-salary guard unless they were genuinely intrigued by the idea of having him.

Young’s future in Atlanta has quietly become one of the league’s more fluid situations. As ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported, the four-time All-Star is open to a trade, a notable shift for a franchise that has been evaluating its direction for months.

Extension discussions have stalled, and league sources previously told Hoops Wire that the Hawks began surveying Young’s market as far back as last offseason.

On the court, the results have only fueled the speculation. Young is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists, but Atlanta is just 2-8 in games he’s played. He’s earning $45.9 million this season and holds a $48.9 million player option for 2026–27, which he could decline to reach unrestricted free agency. He also does not have a no-trade clause.

Atlanta has explored larger-picture scenarios as well, including internal conversations around Anthony Davis, though sources say the Mavericks have no interest in taking back Young, a point Stein has echoed.

Nothing appears imminent. But with Washington now surfacing as a plausible suitor, and Atlanta clearly doing its homework, Young’s name isn’t leaving the rumor cycle anytime soon.