Trae Young reportedly wanted Washington because it offered him a fresh start, a leading role on a young roster, and a big-market stage without the intense expectations of an immediate title contender. Multiple reports framed the Wizards as his preferred destination during trade talks with the Hawks.

What actually happened

  • ESPN and other outlets reported that Young and the Hawks were working together on a trade and that Washington emerged as his top preferred landing spot.
  • He was then traded to the Wizards in a deal built around CJ McCollum’s expiring contract and Corey Kispert, a relatively modest return for a four-time All-Star.

Why Washington appealed to Trae

Analysts and reporters describe several practical reasons Washington made sense for Young.

  • Clear alpha role : Washington does not have an entrenched superstar guard, so Young can dominate the ball and run the offense the way he did at his peak in Atlanta.
  • Playoff platform : The Wizards are rebuilding and just need a star to push them into the play‑in/playoffs, a role Young has already shown he can fill by dragging Atlanta to multiple postseason runs.
  • Young core fit : Washington has promising young players (like Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and others) who can grow around a high-usage offensive engine and potentially cover some of his defensive issues.

Contract, money, and timeline

  • Young holds a player option around $49 million for the 2026–27 season, which Washington can easily absorb while still meeting the salary floor.
  • From his side, going to a team with cap flexibility and a hunger for a star raises his leverage for a future extension and keeps him in a featured role as he heads into his late 20s.

Image, market, and narrative

  • Washington offers a big media market and national visibility but with less scrutiny than glamour destinations like Los Angeles or New York, making it a softer landing spot for a polarizing, offense-first guard.
  • After years of criticism in Atlanta about defense and playoff ceilings, a move to D.C. lets Young reset the narrative as the centerpiece of a new era rather than the symbol of a stuck team.

In short, when fans ask “why did Trae Young want to go to Washington,” the answer is a mix of opportunity (clear No. 1 role), context (young core and low current expectations), and business (money, leverage, and market), not just pure love for the Wizards’ jersey.

TL;DR: Trae Young eyed Washington because it gives him star freedom, a young roster that needs his offense, a big but not suffocating market, and a contract situation that works for both sides.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.