Post-Trae Young Trade: Re-signing with the Wizards Is Not the Top Priority, Hawks Pursue Davis to Build Defensive Powerhouse

On January 9th Beijing time, according to ESPN insider Shelburne, following the official completion of Trae Young's trade to the Wizards, the team and their new starting point guard will consider an early extension, though this is not currently their main priority.

Shelburne noted that the Wizards and Trae Young may initially assess their working relationship and compatibility before determining the prospects of a long-term deal. This evaluation period could extend into the 2026-27 season, as if Trae Young opts not to sign an early extension and avoids free agency, he holds a player option worth $49 million.

If Trae Young reaches an early extension agreement with the Wizards in the coming months, he would have to waive his player option and start the 2026-27 season under a new contract. The extension can add up to three additional seasons beyond his current deal.

Should Trae Young exercise his player option in June, he would be eligible to sign an early extension during the offseason, effective from the 2027-28 season, which could add up to four extra seasons beyond the player option year.

Trae Young’s contract includes a 15% trade kicker, and there is currently no indication he won’t receive this compensation in the trade. However, the trade kicker does not apply to option years and cannot push the player's salary above the maximum salary threshold. Young’s salary cap figure this season is $45,999,660, with the max salary limit at $46,394,100, meaning if he receives the full kicker, his salary would increase by $394,440.

The Hawks sent out more salary than they received in this trade, thus earning a small trade exception valued at $1,357,994.

Insider Shams reports that after clearing Trae Young’s salary space for next season, the Hawks may still pursue Mavericks big man Anthony Davis. Analyst Hollinger points out that before the February 6 trade deadline, CJ McCollum and Keisper’s salaries cannot be combined for a secondary trade, so to acquire Davis, who commands $54.1 million, the Hawks would need to center the deal around Porzingis ($30.7 million, expiring contract) and Kennard ($11 million), possibly adding Ressaché ($13.2 million) as well.

US media ClutchPoints highlights that the Trae Young era has officially ended, but the Hawks are not opting for a full rebuild. With Young now in Washington, McCollum will take charge of the backcourt, and the team’s blueprint is clear: fully pursue Anthony Davis and aim for the championship!

If the trade is facilitated with Porzingis’s contract as the centerpiece, Atlanta could assemble one of the league’s most formidable defensive units. This defensive lineup includes—

Anthony Davis

Onyeka Okongwu

Jalen Johnson

Alexander Walker

Dyson Daniels

Facing such a roster, opponents will find scoring a difficult task. This also signals that the Atlanta Hawks’ moment to contend for the title has officially arrived.