Teammates share emotional reflections as Trae Young departs Atlanta, his impact on their careers etched long after his abrupt exit.
The end came quietly, then all at once, marking a definitive close to an era in Atlanta. The Atlanta Hawks agreed Wednesday to send four-time All-Star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in a deal that reshapes both franchises and signals a clear shift in direction for a Hawks organization ready to move forward.
The timing was jarring even by NBA standards. Young was on the bench during Atlanta’s game against New Orleans, watching alongside teammates he had shared the floor with for years, when word of the agreement surfaced. Moments later, he was escorted through the tunnel to process the reality that his future no longer resided in Atlanta. He returned briefly to the bench before heading to the locker room with 33 seconds left, gathering teammates for one final meeting that underscored how abruptly careers — and chapters — can turn.
For the players left behind, the moment carried weight that lingered beyond the final buzzer.
Second-year forward Zaccharie Risacher spoke to the bond he formed with Young in a short time together, emphasizing connection over circumstance.
“He’s my guy,” Risacher said. “He’s my brother. … And I’m just grateful to be able to say that I crossed paths with him. I just always want what’s best for him. If he’s happy, I’m going to be happy for him.”
Young’s influence extended well beyond the box score, shaping the development of teammates who relied on his playmaking and leadership. Guard Dyson Daniels credited Young with helping unlock his growth after arriving in Atlanta.
“Coming here from New Orleans a year ago, he’s kind of like the guy that got me going, got my career started, really, and put me in positions to succeed,” Daniels said. “And, playing alongside a guy like him just really helped me thrive and become a better player.”
Daniels acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment while recognizing Young’s long-standing presence within the organization.
“So all credit due to him, and obviously, we’re going to miss him,” he said. “He’s been huge for us. The organization, eight years he was here. It’s a little bit of sad emotions at the moment, but wish him the best.”
Not every relationship had the chance to fully develop. Injuries altered the trajectory of the season, including a right MCL sprain that sidelined Young for six weeks early. By the time he returned, Atlanta had evolved stylistically, leaving little runway for the partnerships some had envisioned.
Guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker reflected on the missed opportunity while highlighting the personal side of Young that often went unseen.
“I wish I would have gotten to play with him more,” Alexander-Walker said. “It’s unfortunate with the injuries, and then just the way some of the games turned out.”
He described Young as someone who fostered connection away from the floor as much as on it.
“Good dude,” Alexander-Walker said. “Very selfless. … He was always inviting guys to dinners. So it was cool getting to know him as a person, as well as as a teammate.”
For those who spent years alongside Young, the magnitude of the departure was still settling in even after the final horn. Forward Jalen Johnson, who grew into an expanded role during Young’s tenure, explained how the team processed the moment together.
“We talked about it as a team,” Johnson said. “He said what he said, and it was kind of emotional, but that’s just the business of it. I think everybody understands it at the end of the day, but we’re all appreciative of Trae and excited.”
Johnson also pointed to the consistency of Young’s approach as a defining trait.
“Trae was just always himself,” he said. “He always cared about his teammates, despite what everybody said. He was somebody that just loved to make everybody around him better.”
Young leaves Atlanta after more than seven seasons averaging 25.2 points and 9.8 assists while shooting 35.1% from three, numbers that underscore both his production and his centrality to the franchise’s identity.
As Atlanta moves forward with a reshaped roster and a new vision, Young’s departure closes a significant chapter — one marked by growth, complexity, and lasting influence — even as the organization turns toward what comes next.