Former Hawks Star Trae Young Makes Emotional Return to Atlanta as Wizards Player

NBA point guard Trae Young made his first trip back to Atlanta since being traded to the Washington Wizards last month. Though sidelined with injuries, Young received a standing ovation from Hawks fans and expressed gratitude for his eight years with the franchise.

ATLANTA — For Trae Young, walking into the visitor’s locker room at State Farm Arena felt surreal after spending eight years as the home team’s star player.

“I’ve only been in the visiting locker room for concerts and stuff,” Young said with a laugh. “It is weird. It’s something I’ll have to get used to coming back here.”

The point guard made his first trip back to Atlanta Tuesday evening since Washington acquired him in a major trade deal last month from the Hawks.

Young remained on the sidelines as he works through rehabilitation for a sprained right knee and quadriceps injury. The former All-Star hasn’t seen game action in almost two months, and Washington appears content to keep him benched as the team focuses on securing a favorable draft position for next year.

Though Young appeared hopeful about his recovery progress, he avoided giving a direct answer when pressed about whether he’ll return to action this season.

“I’m leaving it up to the doctors,” Young stated. “Just following the plan. The plan is going good so far. You never know.”

During his tenure in Atlanta, Young became the organization’s centerpiece, making four All-Star appearances and guiding the Hawks to the Eastern Conference championship series in 2021.

However, the franchise struggled to replicate that success, consistently falling short in first-round playoff exits. After another disappointing campaign that started with championship aspirations, Atlanta’s front office decided to part ways with their marquee player. The Hawks shipped Young to Washington in early January, receiving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in return.

Despite the circumstances, Young harbors no resentment toward his former organization. He values his Atlanta experience while anticipating what lies ahead with a Wizards team that also acquired star big man Anthony Davis in another significant pre-deadline deal.

“I just want Hawks fans to know how much love and appreciation I had for them from day one,” Young expressed. “I came in and found a way to make a name for myself, make a name for my team. I tried to put this city on the map, where people talked about us.”

Still, he acknowledged the necessity of seeking fresh opportunities in Washington.

“When you’ve been there for so long, it kind of feels like your stay is not welcomed as much anymore,” Young reflected. “That’s OK, you know what I’m saying? That’s life, no matter what we do. We play a sport that’s not necessarily fair.”

Young recalled the preseason excitement following Atlanta’s acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis, which seemed to address a major roster gap. Unfortunately, Porzingis battled health issues and missed significant time, appearing in just 17 contests before being shipped to Golden State.

“I wasn’t healthy this year. KP was not healthy this year,” Young observed. “There’s a lot of things we could’ve done. But that’s neither here nor there. That’s in the past. Everything happens for a reason.”

Looking forward, Young feels energized about Washington’s potential, particularly with a recovered Davis, developing young talent, and an expected high lottery selection in an impressive draft class.

The Hawks organization expressed well-wishes for their former star.

“Speaking on everyone’s behalf, we’re very appreciative of what Trae has done for our team and our franchise over the year,” head coach Quin Snyder commented. “We’re grateful to him and his family for that. We just wish him well in this next phase of his career.”

Young had initially hoped to face his old teammates on the court during this homecoming. That opportunity didn’t materialize, and he’s unlikely to suit up when the teams meet again Thursday in Atlanta.

“When I was doing the rehab, obviously I was hoping I could come back and play,” Young said. “I’m in a great spot right now. I wish I could play tonight, my first night here, but it wasn’t in God’s plans. But I’m going to be back playing here a lot in the future.”

As his new teammates took the floor for tipoff, Young stayed underneath the stands, working through rehabilitation exercises with resistance bands.

He eventually made his way to the visitors’ bench in time for a tribute video during the second quarter. The arena erupted in applause as Young shaped his hands into a heart and repeatedly mouthed “thank you” to the crowd.

“That is probably the one plus of playing right now,” he said beforehand. “I can maybe get some emotions out of the way the first time and not be so emotional every time.”