Trae Young’s parting message to Atlanta included a few subliminals after the Hawks traded him to the Washington Wizards mid-game Wednesday.
The four-time All-Star point guard opened up about “situations that didn’t make sense” and “the pain of staying the same” in a note posted to his social media.
“Never thought I’d be typing this… the last few years weren’t how I wanted them to be,” Young, 27, said. “Expectations that we created for ourselves, reaching heights that Atlanta has never reached before.
“Bringing a championship to Atlanta was always my goal. However, between the injuries, the setbacks and situations that didn’t make sense, we never truly got to see our full potential. The city that raised me and taught me so much will always be a chapter in this story…
“However, the pain of staying the same eventually outweighed the uncertainty of change. Change is often met with fear. But I see it as another opportunity.
“I’m walking into this next chapter ecstatic, with my head high and my eyes forward. It’s time to see what’s possible when the support is real the vision is clear. We move.”
Young also shared a photo of his No. 3 Washington jersey hanging at his new locker at Capital One Arena, home of the Wizards.
“It’s official,” he wrote.
The Young trade news kicked off the NBA trade season Wednesday during the Hawks-Pelicans game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Young, who was on the injury report due to a quad bruise, left the bench and walked back to the locker room after the news broke, as seen in viral videos on social media.
Atlanta got back guards CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in the deal.
The writing was on the wall as the Hawks — who selected Young with the No. 5 pick in the 2018 NBA draft — chose not to extend him this past offseason.
The Hawks included Young on their injury report for Friday’s game against the Nuggets in Denver, writing, “not with team” since the deal had not been finalized until Friday.
On Thursday, the Hawks posted a tribute video, which showed some of Young’s highlights during his nearly eight seasons in Atlanta.
“One of the most remarkable chapters in Hawks history,” the Hawks said. “Thank you, Trae.”
Young, a multiple time league assists leader, only played in 10 games this season for Atlanta due to a quad injury.
Fans may have to wait to see Young in action for the Wizards.
One league executive speculated that Washington is going to be uber-conservative with Young’s rehab to ensure it does not lose its top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick to the Knicks.
