Talks between Atlanta and Washington regarding a possible Trae Young trade have been ongoing, but sources tell Jake Fischer that a deal is unlikely to happen quickly.
The Hawks are believed to be holding off in hopes that another team shows interest as the February 5 deadline gets closer.
For now, the Wizards are the only team clearly engaged in serious discussions. No other clubs have publicly emerged as active suitors, which has limited Atlanta’s leverage in negotiations.
Washington’s interest in Young dates back to the offseason, when extension talks between Young and the Hawks stalled.
The Wizards are projected to have significant cap space in 2026, and rival executives are watching closely to see how the team plans to meet the league’s salary floor.
As one executive put it, they will need to spend that money somewhere.
The Wizards also have a clear need at point guard and are looking for a way to energize a fan base that has grown restless. Young could address both issues.
His contract situation remains a variable, though, as he holds a $49 million player option and would likely need a long-term deal well north of $100 million to consider opting out.
While Young’s representatives have mentioned Brooklyn and Minnesota as potential options, neither team appears interested at this time, leaving Washington as the primary suitor for now.
Hawks Waiting To See If Any Teams Beyond Wizards Emerge For Trae Young https://t.co/leTu0GmYZH
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 7, 2026
