Trae Young Cited Leadership Changes for Hawks Exit
The former Atlanta star attributed his 2026 trade to Washington to shifts in team management.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Basketball
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Trae Young revealed that his January 2026 departure from the Atlanta Hawks was driven by discomfort following the appointment of general manager Onsi Saleh. The star guard expressed that he felt a lack of support under the team's new leadership.
Why it matters
The comments shed light on the internal friction that led to one of the most significant roster changes in recent franchise history. The departure marked the end of an era that began when Travis Schlenk originally drafted Young in 2018.
Trae Young signed a $213 million contract with the Washington Wizards in July 2026, which covers four years and includes a player option for the 2029-30 season.
The players
Trae Young
He is an elite NBA point guard who spent the majority of his career with the Atlanta Hawks before moving to the Washington Wizards.
Travis Schlenk
He is a basketball executive who currently serves as the senior vice president of player personnel for the Washington Wizards.
Onsi Saleh
He became the general manager of the Atlanta Hawks in April 2025 following a period of turnover in the team's basketball operations department.
Michael Porter Jr.
He is an active NBA player who hosts a podcast where professional athletes discuss their career transitions and personal experiences.
The details
Speaking on a podcast hosted by Michael Porter Jr., Young stated he no longer felt comfortable with the Atlanta organization after the front office underwent multiple leadership transitions. The Hawks ultimately traded Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Timeline
Travis Schlenk drafted Trae Young to the Hawks in 2018.
Onsi Saleh was promoted to general manager of the Atlanta Hawks in April 2025.
The Hawks traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in January 2026.
Hawks fans gave Trae Young a warm welcome on February 24, 2026.
Trae Young signed his new contract in July 2026.
Season Trajectory
The trade marks a significant shift in the competitive balance for Atlanta as the team moved away from the foundation built during the 2018 NBA Draft. This roster reset fundamentally altered the playoff outlook for both the Hawks and the Wizards in the 2026 season.
The trade resulted in the acquisition of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert by the Hawks to replace Young's production in the backcourt. These roster adjustments directly impact the team's offensive rotation and salary cap flexibility for the coming seasons.
The takeaway
Front office stability remains a critical factor in retaining superstar talent across the modern NBA. Athletes often evaluate their long-term commitment to a franchise based on the consistency of the leadership team in place.
Further reading
For more on roster shifts, visit the Basketball section.
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