Trae Young’s farewell message to Atlanta included a few subliminals after the Hawks traded him to the Washington Wizards mid-game on Wednesday.
The four-time All-Star point guard opened up about “situations that didn’t make sense” and “the pain of staying the same” in a note on his social media.
“I never thought I would be typing this… the last few years have not been what I wanted them to be,” Young, 27, said. “Expectations that we have created for ourselves that are reaching heights that Atlanta has never reached before.
“Bringing a championship to Atlanta was always my goal. But due to injuries, setbacks and situations that didn’t make sense, we were never able to truly see our full potential. The city that raised me and taught me so much will always be a chapter in this story…
“However, the pain of staying the same ultimately outweighed the uncertainty of change. Change is often accompanied by fear. But I see it as a new opportunity.”
“I walk into this next chapter ecstatic, with my head held high and my eyes forward. It’s time to see what’s possible when the support is real and the vision is clear. We move forward.”
Young also shared a photo of his No. 3 Washington jersey hanging from his new locker at Capital One Arena, home of the Wizards.
“It’s official,” he wrote.
The Young trade news kicked off the NBA trade season on Wednesday during the Hawks-Pelicans game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Young, who was on the injury report due to a quad contusion, left the bench and walked back to the locker room after the news broke, as seen in viral videos on social media.
Atlanta got guards CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in the deal.
The writing was on the wall when the Hawks — who selected Young with the No. 5 pick in the 2018 NBA draft — opted not to extend him this past offseason.
The Hawks included Young on their injury report for Friday’s game against the Nuggets in Denver, writing: “not with team” because the deal wasn’t completed until Friday.
On Thursday, the Hawks posted a tribute video showing some of Young’s highlights during his nearly eight seasons in Atlanta.
“One of the most remarkable chapters in Hawks history,” said the Hawks. “Thanks, Trae.”
Young, a multiple league assists leader, played in just 10 games for Atlanta this season due to a quad injury.
Fans may have to wait to see Young in action for the Wizards.
A league executive speculated that Washington will be very conservative on Young’s rehabilitation to ensure it doesn’t lose its top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick to the Knicks.
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