The Atlanta Hawks stunned the NBA community on Wednesday night by pulling off a surprise trade, dealing former All-Star point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. In return, Atlanta received veteran guard CJ McCollum and sharpshooter Corey Kispert in a move that signals a major shift for both franchises.
According to ClutchPoints, not long after the deal became public, NBA insider Chris Haynes caught up with McCollum to get his first reaction. The veteran guard struck a gracious tone, expressing appreciation for both organizations and reflecting positively on his time in Washington.
“Loved my time in DC. Organization was great to my family and I,” Haynes quoted McCollum on X. “Michael Winger and Will [Dawkins] did everything they said they would and kept their word from the very beginning. Love the city, and they’re doing things the right way over there.”
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Atlanta’s real plan involves clearing cap space for bigger moves
McCollum also shared his excitement about joining Atlanta. “Excited to get to The A and get to work. Very familiar with their style of play. Love the ownership group and front office. Good group of players,” he said.
McCollum said the right things about his new team. But his time in Atlanta might not last long. The trade was really about getting rid of a huge salary. While NBA teams reshape their rosters, coaching changes are also happening across professional sports.
Young was set to earn $46 million this season and holds a $49 million player option for next year, making his contract a major factor in Atlanta’s decision to move on. By dealing the star guard, the Hawks have created significant salary-cap flexibility.
With that added financial breathing room, Atlanta is expected to be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline as it looks to reshape the roster and chart a new direction. League sources believe the Hawks could explore multiple moves, using their newfound cap space to target veterans, absorb contracts, or position themselves for future assets.
Many experts think the Hawks might go after Anthony Davis. To make that happen, they might need to trade McCollum again soon. The sports world has seen plenty of dramatic moves lately, including off-court legal battles between former athletes.
McCollum has been nothing but professional through it all. The 13-year veteran spent most of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged over 20 points per game for 10 straight seasons. This year, his scoring has dropped to 18.6 points per game, with near career-low numbers in rebounds and assists.
Published: Jan 8, 2026 04:15 pm