After spending seven and a half seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, four-time All-Star Trae Young has officially bid farewell to the city and its fans following a surprising mid-game trade to the Washington Wizards. The blockbuster move — which sent Young to Washington in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert — marked the end of an era in Atlanta, where Young became the franchise’s leader in assists and 3-pointers, guided the team deep into the playoffs, and forged close bonds with teammates, staff and fans alike. Peachtree Hoops+1
Young captured the moment on social media before the trade became public, responding to a young fan’s goodbye video with a message that resonated emotionally across the Hawks community:
“Friend for life! We locked in forever…”
(Young’s reply to a fan who said, “I’ll miss you bro you will always be my best friend.”) Yahoo Sports
His connection to Atlanta was clear during the farewell itself. As word of the trade broke during a home game, Young — sidelined with an injury — stood up from the bench to shake hands with Hawks staff, exchange hugs, and acknowledge fans courtside before walking off the court for the final time. Teammates later spoke of the sincere respect and brotherhood they shared, underscoring Young’s impact both on and off the floor. SI
Though the direction of the franchise is changing, Young’s gratitude for the support and memories he made in Atlanta remains unmistakable — and his message to those fans will long outlive his time in red and black. Yahoo Sports
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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