In a heartfelt return to State Farm Arena, injured NBA star Trae Young took a moment to thank Atlanta Hawks fans, marking a poignant chapter in his career. It was a night filled with emotion as Young, now with the Washington Wizards, stepped back into the arena where he once reigned as the face of the Hawks franchise. But here's where it gets controversial—was his trade to the Wizards a necessary move for both parties, or a missed opportunity for Atlanta?
The atmosphere was undeniably strange for Young, who had spent the last eight years in the familiar confines of the home locker room. Now, he found himself in the visiting locker room, a space he’d only entered for concerts and events. 'It’s weird,' Young admitted with a chuckle. 'It’s something I’ll have to get used to coming back here.'
Young’s return to Atlanta on Tuesday night was his first since being traded to the Wizards in a blockbuster deal last month. However, fans were left without the spectacle of seeing him face off against his former teammates, as he continues to recover from a sprained right knee and quadriceps contusion. The point guard has been sidelined for nearly two months, and the Wizards appear in no rush to accelerate his return, seemingly prioritizing a high draft pick for next season over immediate wins. And this is the part most people miss—is resting Young truly about his health, or is it a strategic move for the team’s future?
While Young expressed optimism about his recovery, he remained vague when asked if he expected to play again this season. 'I’m leaving it up to the doctors,' he said. 'Just following the plan. The plan is going good so far. You never know.'
Young’s tenure in Atlanta was nothing short of remarkable. He earned four All-Star selections and led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, a run that cemented his status as a franchise cornerstone. Yet, the team struggled to replicate that success, failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs in subsequent seasons. When another season of high hopes turned mediocre, the Hawks decided it was time to part ways with their star, trading him to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Despite the trade, Young holds no grudges. He fondly reflected on his time in Atlanta, even as he looks ahead to a promising future in Washington, where the Wizards also acquired big man Anthony Davis in another major trade. 'I just want Hawks fans to know how much love and appreciation I had for them from day one,' Young said. 'I tried to put this city on the map, where people talked about us.'
But he acknowledged that it was time for a fresh start. 'When you’ve been there for so long, it kind of feels like your stay is not welcomed as much anymore,' Young noted. 'That’s life, no matter what we do. We play a sport that’s not necessarily fair.'
Young also touched on the Hawks’ struggles this season, particularly the injuries that plagued both him and Kristaps Porzingis, who played just 17 games before being traded to the Golden State Warriors. 'I wasn’t healthy this year. KP was not healthy this year,' Young said. 'There’s a lot of things we could’ve done. But that’s in the past. Everything happens for a reason.'
Looking ahead, Young is excited about the potential in Washington, especially with a healthy Davis, a talented young core, and a high draft pick in a deep draft class. 'I’m excited to see what we can build,' he said.
The Hawks, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for Young’s contributions. 'Speaking on everyone’s behalf, we’re very appreciative of what Trae has done for our team and our franchise,' said coach Quin Snyder. 'We just wish him well in this next phase of his career.'
Young had hoped to face his former team on the court, but it wasn’t meant to be. He’s unlikely to play when the Wizards and Hawks meet again in Atlanta on Thursday. 'I wish I could play tonight, my first night here, but it wasn’t in God’s plans,' Young said. 'But I’m going to be back playing here a lot in the future.'
As his new teammates took the court, Young remained in a quiet nook under the stands, working on his rehab with an elastic band. However, he joined the bench in time for a tribute video early in the second quarter. As the crowd rose for a standing ovation, Young formed a heart with his hands and mouthed 'thank you' repeatedly. 'That is probably the one plus of playing right now,' he said. 'I can maybe get some emotions out of the way the first time and not be so emotional every time.'
But here’s the question for you: Was trading Trae Young the right move for the Hawks, or did they let go of a player who could have still led them to greatness? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
