Trae Young to Washington Wizards? Atlanta Hawks star’s uncertain future sparks blockbuster trade buzz ahead of deadline

The Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young are reportedly separating from each other. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the two parties are collaborating to reach an agreement before the NBA trade deadline in February. Since being selected with the fifth overall choice in the 2018 NBA Draft, Young has lived in Atlanta his whole career. If he declines the player option after 2026-2027, he will become a free agent.Additionally, as per Marc Stein, CJ McCollum's contract expiration would be at the center of any potential transaction involving the Atlanta Hawks player. Young has a $49 million player option for 2026–2027 and is making $46 million this season. McCollum's contract is scheduled to expire in June, so he will receive a total of $30.7 million. His contract is reportedly connected with Young's. The Washington Wizards are now being considered for Trae Young. They have become a "legitimate potential trade destination" for Young, according to sources who spoke with seasoned NBA analyst Marc Stein.Sources told ESPN on Monday that Hawks' four-time All-Star Trae Young and his agents, Aaron Mintz, Drew Morrison, and Austin Brown, are negotiating a trade with the team. Over the past week, Young's representatives and Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh have started constructive and cooperative negotiations to find a solution, according to sources. Since the Hawks decided not to extend the 27-year-old guard's contract, the team and his representatives have continued to discuss Young's future since the previous few months. With a player option in the offseason, Young's contract is worth $95 million for the current and upcoming seasons.The Wizards, who now have the fourth-worst record in the NBA, are expected to have a tone of salary room this summer. Washington must believe that Young would fit in well with any of the top three prospects, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, and BYU wing A.J. Dybantsa. Meanwhile, in his eighth season as the Hawks' franchise player, Young is allegedly "open-minded" about being traded. He hasn't been healthy this year, though, and has only averaged 19.3 points on over 41 percent shooting and 8.9 assists in 10 games.As the team's all-time leader in 3-pointers and assists, Young has been the face of the Hawks since being selected in the 2018 draft. In his eight years, he has guided Atlanta to the postseason three times, including a trip to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021.However, earlier in the season, he missed 22 games due to an injured MCL, and the Hawks allegedly appeared to be playing better without him. Without Young in the lineup, the Hawks are 15-12, and it should come as no surprise that their defense improved significantly. Young is still among the best offensive creators in the game, and a club searching for a lead engine that can combine playmaking and scoring may find great value in him.Also read: Is Trae Young playing tonight? Atlanta Hawks star set to start again as team gain major boost ahead of San Antonio Spurs clash