Trae Young has left the door open for a potential return to the Atlanta Hawks later in his NBA career, despite making it clear that his focus is currently on the Washington Wizards.
Young was asked by Baller Alert whether he could envision a reunion with the Hawks in the future after being traded from Atlanta to Washington during the 2025-26 season.
“Man, you never know,” Young said, via HoopsHype.
The 27-year-old point guard emphasized that his intention is to remain in the NBA for a long time, which leaves plenty of possibilities for his future.
“For me, I plan on playing for a long time,” Young said. “So, like, that’s why I wanted to leave the right way, you know what I’m saying? And for me to not have any like bad blood with anybody in the city or any of the fans.”
Young spent the first seven-plus seasons of his NBA career with Atlanta after the Hawks selected him No. 5 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. He became the face of the franchise and helped Atlanta reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
The Hawks eventually traded Young to Washington on Jan. 9, 2026, in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Atlanta’s decision ended Young’s long tenure with the organization, but he said he was conscious of how he wanted the relationship to end.
“That’s why I wanted to leave on the right terms,” Young said. “And sometimes breakups are meant to happen, but just how they go down is what’s most important.”
Young averaged 25.1 points and 9.8 assists over his first eight NBA seasons, earning three All-Star selections and an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2021-22. He also led the NBA in assists during the 2024-25 season, averaging 11.6 per game.
His 2025-26 season was split between Atlanta and Washington. Young averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in 10 games with the Hawks before averaging 15.2 points and 6.2 assists in five games with the Wizards.
Washington subsequently committed to Young with a four-year contract worth approximately $212.8 million, including a player option in the fourth season.
The Wizards are building around Young, Anthony Davis and No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa after a major roster overhaul. Young made it clear that, while he appreciates what Atlanta meant to his career, his attention is now firmly on his new team.
“But for me right now, obviously my 10 toes are here in DC,” Young said.
