Image Source: Austin Nivison
Key Takeaways:
- The Atlanta Hawks have traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
- The Chicago Cubs have acquired starting pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins.
- Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
- The College Football Playoff semifinals begin tonight with Miami facing off against Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl.
- The NFL postseason is expected to be wide open, with several potential upsets on the horizon.
Introduction to the Day’s Sports News
Good morning and happy Thursday, sports fans! It’s a big day in the world of sports, with the College Football Playoff semifinals kicking off tonight and several other major stories breaking. The Atlanta Hawks have made a significant trade, sending Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. As Sam Quinn notes, "The Hawks didn’t get any draft compensation in return. All that said, Atlanta gave itself a lot of financial flexibility by creating more than $40 million in cap space." This move is expected to give the Hawks the flexibility to make a big splash in the trade market, potentially for a player like Anthony Davis.
The Trae Young Trade
The trade of Trae Young to the Washington Wizards is a significant move for both teams. Young is a four-time NBA All-Star and gives the Wizards a star player at a relatively low acquisition cost. As Quinn notes, "So what is that next step? The obvious answer is an Anthony Davis trade. They’ve been linked to the Dallas big man for weeks, and if the price is right, they could very easily pull the trigger." The Hawks, on the other hand, have freed up a significant amount of cap space, which they can use to make a big move in the trade market. As Quinn says, "Moving Young first allows the Hawks to add Davis without worrying about the luxury tax or finding proper depth next season."
College Football Playoff Semifinals
The College Football Playoff semifinals begin tonight, with Miami facing off against Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. This game is expected to be a close one, with our experts split on who will come out on top. As Brandon Marcello notes, "If Miami struggles to affect Trinidad Chambliss in the pocket, the Rebels win. If the Rebels can’t protect their quarterback against defensive ends Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, the Hurricanes win." The game is expected to be a thrilling matchup, with both teams looking to advance to the championship game.
NFL Postseason
The NFL postseason is expected to be wide open, with several potential upsets on the horizon. As Jared Dubin notes, "Pittsburgh is playing this game at home, on Monday night, and the Steelers have traditionally been excellent in night-time island games during the Mike Tomlin era." The Steelers are facing off against the Texans, who have a strong defense but a middling offense. As Dubin says, "The Texans have a ferocious defense that should be able to hold Pittsburgh in check even with DK Metcalf back in the lineup, but it’s not like their offense is a machine that will be able to put up points with ease against the Steelers."
Other Sports News
In other sports news, the Chicago Cubs have acquired starting pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins. Cabrera had a solid 2025 season, with a 3.53 ERA and 150 strikeouts. The Cubs are expected to be a strong team in the upcoming season, and this move is seen as a significant addition to their rotation. As the article notes, "Chicago came out looking great in this deal, but the return for Miami feels a little light." Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, and is expected to be a top prospect. As Mike Renner notes, Simpson is projected to be the third quarterback off the board, and could be a great pick for a team like the Rams.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s been a big day in the world of sports, with several major stories breaking. The Trae Young trade is a significant move for both the Hawks and the Wizards, and the College Football Playoff semifinals are expected to be a thrilling matchup. The NFL postseason is wide open, with several potential upsets on the horizon. As always, it’s an exciting time to be a sports fan, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store.
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/hawks-trade-trae-young-wizards-cfp-semifinal-miami-ole-miss/