Trae Young opened up about his decision to leave the Atlanta Hawks in a heartfelt Instagram post on Friday morning, explaining the personal and professional reasons behind the move. The 27-year-old star said the past few seasons didn’t unfold as he had hoped, and staying with the team began to feel more painful than the uncertainty of starting fresh elsewhere.
“The pain of staying the same eventually outweighed the uncertainty of change,” Young wrote, according to TMZ. Young made it clear that his ultimate goal was always to bring a championship to Atlanta. But injuries, setbacks, and a series of confusing situations prevented the Hawks from reaching their full potential, leaving Young frustrated despite his dedication and efforts.
While the city of Atlanta helped him grow as a person and shaped much of his career, Young said it was time for a new chapter. He views the trade not as a setback but as an opportunity to start over and chase success from a fresh perspective. “Bringing a championship to Atlanta was always my goal. However, between the injuries, the setbacks, and situations that didn’t make sense, we never truly got to see our full potential,” he also wrote.
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Young’s time in Atlanta had ups and downs
Since the Hawks drafted Young in 2018, the team’s overall record was 268-320. They made the playoffs for three straight years from 2020 to 2023. However, the last two seasons were difficult for the team.
Young only played 10 games this season because of a quad injury. Earlier this week, reports said Young and his agents were trying to arrange a trade. Similar to how Jake and Logan Paul’s mother worries about injuries, Young’s health concerns played a role in his decision.
On Wednesday, the Hawks sent him to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young said he’s excited about this new chapter and ready to move forward. He wants to see what’s possible when he has real support and a clear vision, unlike Jerry Jones’ confusing recent comments about coaching decisions.
“The pain of staying the same eventually outweighed the uncertainty of change. Change is often met with fear, but I see it as another opportunity,” Young wrote. “It’s time to see what’s possible when the support is real and the vision is clear.”The Wizards currently have a 10-26 record, but Young seems ready to help build a winning culture in Washington.
Published: Jan 9, 2026 03:45 pm