While trading Trae Young appeared to be a long shot for the Atlanta Hawks last season, it seemed more realistic this season.
Young, who’s been injured for most of the season and is shooting a career-low 30.5% shooting from three, was at a standstill with the organization through 7.5 seasons. As a result, the Hawks traded the four-time All-Star to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
On Friday, the real reason the Hawks completed the blockbuster deal was revealed.
“On behalf of the Hawks franchise, I’d like to thank Trae for how he embraced the city of Atlanta and represented the Hawks during his time here, on the court and in the community,” Hawks GM Onsi Saleh said in an official statement.
“Over more than seven seasons, including four All-Star appearances, he cemented himself as a fan favorite and one of the great players in our franchise’s history. We wish Trae and his family all the best.”
“Adding CJ McCollum, one of the NBA’s most prolific shooters and a respected veteran, along with an established young veteran in Corey Kispert, will strengthen our team on the court and in the locker room, and we retain flexibility for future opportunities to continue building our program.”
Essentially, while Saleh respects and appreciates Young’s contributions to the Hawks’ organizations, both parties desperately needed a reset. Atlanta, which is firmly in rebuild mode, added McCollum and Kispert to help jump-start that process and move the organization in the right direction.
The Hawks don’t have any ill will toward their 2018 No. 3 overall pick, but simply put, it was time for a change.
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