“I have huge respect for the owner, Tony (Ressler), the whole front office and staff,” Young said. “My affection for Atlanta runs deep, so I never wanted to depart on bad terms. Yet after the third GM arrived and Onsi came on board, the comfort faded. There are details I’ll save for later, but sometimes it’s best to let things slide.”
Former Hawks executive Travis Schlenk, who departed early in the 2022/23 campaign, now serves as the Wizards’ senior vice president of player personnel, making Washington a natural fit for Young. He logged only five games after the January trade, yet the club demonstrated strong confidence this offseason with a four‑year, $212 million contract. For my money, the deal signals Washington’s serious intent.
Young sensed that Atlanta would overhaul if immediate success didn’t materialize, and he wanted to stay ahead of that shift.
“Around me, the message was clear: either we stick around, win, or we all go our separate ways,” he said. “Discussions with my agent happened, but I felt the moment had arrived, and I aimed to exit gracefully. Growing up in Oklahoma City, I watched Kevin Durant face backlash for leaving, and I didn’t want that stigma.”
Here’s additional insight on the Wizards:
- In a chat with Mark Medina of RG, Young’s trainer pushes back on critics. Travelle Gaines asserts Young never complained during the season that reshaped his career after the trade and injuries that limited him to 15 games. “He kept saying, ‘I’ll be ready to get back on the court,’” Gaines said. “He’s driven to put in the work. He’s the ultimate professional, knowing effort leads to his goals. From my view, it’s about getting Trae in peak shape for 82 games and helping his team win. Can the Wizards keep him healthy enough to lead a playoff push?”