Image Source: Morten Stig Jensen
Key Takeaways
- The Trae Young era in Atlanta is over, with the former All-Star moving to the Washington Wizards.
- The Atlanta Hawks are gaining financial flexibility and committing to building around Jalen Johnson.
- The Washington Wizards are taking a gamble on Young, who could either hinder or help the development of their young core.
- The deal’s success will depend on Young’s ability to adapt and become a more team-oriented point guard.
- The Wizards’ decision on whether to offer Young an extension will be crucial in determining the outcome of the trade.
Introduction to the Trade
The Trae Young era in Atlanta has come to an end, with the former All-Star reportedly moving to the Washington Wizards to start his career anew. As stated in the original article, "the Hawks would obviously have preferred a major package centered around draft picks and young players, but that type of deal was never in the cards, with Young having a player option worth $49 million next season and his reputation as a winner being routinely questioned." This trade marks a significant shift for both teams, with the Hawks gaining financial flexibility and the Wizards taking a gamble on Young’s potential.
The Atlanta Hawks’ Perspective
From the Hawks’ perspective, the trade is not a bad deal, despite not being able to secure a major package centered around draft picks and young players. As the article notes, "Getting McCollum and Kispert is not a bad get, and the deal improves when you consider McCollum is an expiring contract, meaning the Hawks will replace Young’s $49 million next year with just $13.9 million through the Kispert contract." The Hawks are now committed to building around Jalen Johnson, recognizing that Young was always going to hinder roster construction around its burgeoning 24-year-old star. With this trade, the Hawks are entering a new future, where defense, cohesive offense, and togetherness should become the staple of a new tomorrow.
The Washington Wizards’ Perspective
For the Wizards, this trade can go in many different directions. As the article states, "Young, who is used to having the offense run through him, could lean into his worst tendencies, hurting the development of Washington’s young core, chief among them Alexandre Sarr, Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson." However, Young could also view this as a fresh start and an opportunity to redefine himself as a more team-oriented point guard. The Wizards’ decision on whether to offer Young an extension will be crucial in determining the outcome of the trade. If they can persuade Young to decline his player option next season in order to sign an extension worth $35 million a year, this deal could go down much easier.
Overall Thoughts on the Trade
Overall, the trade is a decent gamble for the Wizards, given that they did not relinquish a lot to get Young. However, as the article notes, "Young was available for that price for a reason, and that’s why things are fluid in terms of grading the deal from their perspective." The success of the trade will depend on Young’s ability to adapt and become a more team-oriented point guard. As the article states, "The pull-up 3-pointers from the logo need to go away and more off-ball shots should be prioritized for the betterment of the team." If Young can make this adjustment, the trade could be a success for the Wizards. If not, it could hinder the development of their young core.
Conclusion and Future Implications
In conclusion, the trade between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards marks a significant shift for both teams. The Hawks are gaining financial flexibility and committing to building around Jalen Johnson, while the Wizards are taking a gamble on Young’s potential. The outcome of the trade will depend on Young’s ability to adapt and become a more team-oriented point guard. As the article notes, "We should all hope Young uses this trade as motivation to turn his game into something that better develops and helps the players around him." The future implications of this trade will be interesting to track, and it will be crucial to see how both teams develop in the coming seasons.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/trae-young-trade-grades-did-the-hawks-do-ok-despite-not-getting-any-draft-assets-031918406.html