On Monday, December 5, NBA insiders shared breaking news. Sources reported that the Atlanta Hawks are actively working to find a trade partner for Trae Young.
Washington has “legitimate” interest in Atlanta’s all-star PG. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that a deal could be centered around the contract of veteran SG CJ McCollum. The 34-year-old is in his 13th professional season and first with the Wizards. McCollum is on an expiring contract, making him an easy trade target. Will the Hawks and Wizards strike a deal to send CJ McCollum to his fourth professional team?
How quickly will CJ McCollum be traded to the Hawks?
At 17-21, the Hawks are currently 10th in the East. Starting PG Trae Young has appeared in 10 of the team’s 28 games this season. He’s been limited due to an MCL sprain and right quad contusion. Without Young in the lineup, the Hawks have found ways to win and stay competitive. That has the Hawks questioning Trae Young’s future with the franchise. On Monday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Hawks are actively working to trade Young.
He added that the Wizards have “legitimate” interest in Young. The 27-year-old is on the books for $45.9 million in 2025-26 and has a $48.9 million player option in 2026-27. Stein noted that Washington is reluctant to take on his maximum salary. If Atlanta traded Trae Young to the Wizards, there would need to be a player sent back in return. Marc Stein believes veteran SG CJ McCollum is on the chopping block.
Is trading Trae Young part of a more elaborate plan for the Hawks?
McCollum is in his first season with the Wizards. He was traded from New Orleans to Washington this past offseason. There’s a chance the 34-year-old is on the move less than a year later. NBA cap expert Yossi Gozlan reported that a Trae Young for CJ McCollum trade would be a salary dump for Atlanta. McCollum is on the books for $30.7 million in 2025-26 compared to Young’s $45.6 million.
Gozlan mentioned that the Wizards would be required to send out at least $6.2 million in additional salary to make the trade legal. Marc Stein noted that Trae Young being moved by the Wizards could be part of a more elaborate plan. There are rumors that the Hawks have their eyes set on Anthony Davis. That would be a massive deal for the Hawks to acquire a player of Davis’ caliber. Will CJ McCollum be traded for Trae Young ahead of the deadline?
