Does the Wizards Trade of a Four-Time All-Star Change the Franchise Around?
Last night, it was reported and confirmed that Atlanta Hawks four-time all-star point guard Trae Young was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young wanted to be traded after the Hawks decided not to offer him a contract extension this past offseason, and he saw a better overall roster fit with the Wizards organization, which is desperately looking to turn things around. After seven and a half years in Atlanta, Young finds himself in the nation’s capital looking to change the culture in Washington and become a serious playoff contender. The Wizards find themselves 14th in the Eastern Conference standings at 10-26. Does this trade allow Washington the opportunity to win and gain playoff hope, or will they have to wait until next season to make a serious impact within the East?
With the Wizards at 10-26, they’re currently seven games behind the 10th-place Chicago Bulls, which, by the end of the season, would put Washington in the Play-In Tournament. The season is not even halfway over, there’s still plenty of time to turn the franchise around by April and clinch a spot within the Eastern Conference’s top 10 seeds. However, Washington plays some great teams in the remainder of January. Playing the Los Angeles Clippers twice, the Denver Nuggets twice, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Los Angeles Lakers. While these are some tough opponents, Young’s all-star capabilities could change the dynamic of this Wizards team from the get-go. Yet, if it takes time to build chemistry, the four-time all-star and his teammates have a little more than half a season to change the direction of the organization.
Young could make his debut with the Wizards as early as Sunday in Phoenix against the Suns, or Wednesday, January 14th, against the Clippers in Los Angeles. This season, in just 10 games, the 27-year-old point guard is averaging 19 points, two rebounds, nine assists, and a steal a game. His 19 points a game is the lowest it has been since the four-time all-star’s rookie season. Young’s 31 percent shooting from beyond the arc is a career low, something he’ll certainly look to change once he puts on a Wizards jersey. The former Hawks guard suffered from an MCL sprain that kept him out for 23 games, as well as dealing with quad contusions. The trade talks between Atlanta and Washington kept Young out for even more time. With a fresh new start, and hopefully at 100%, Young looks to change the Wizards’ record around immediately.
The four-time all-star has sophomore center Alex Sarr by his side during this rebuild. Sarr is averaging 17 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, improving in all categories from his rookie season. The former second overall pick is shooting 50 percent from the field, and 37 percent from three, seven percent better than a season ago. A dynamic duo consisting of Young and Sarr could be a scary combination within the Eastern Conference. ‘Ice Trae’ also has new young teammates such as Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Cam Whitmore, and Marvin Bagley III. All these guys will benefit from having a playoff-experienced, all-star on their team, such as Young.
So does this trade change the Wizards organization this season? Yes, it may take time for chemistry to develop between Young and his new teammates; however, if you look into the month of February, Washington plays many teams under .500, like the Brooklyn Nets, the Indiana Pacers twice, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Atlanta Hawks twice. The Wizards have the opportunity to take some easy wins and scale across the Eastern Conference standings. Does this Washington squad go far in the playoffs or even past the Play-In Tournament? No, they have too much inexperience to beat some of the Eastern Conference’s best, yet this year could be the start of a culture change that sparks a new identity within the team, starting with Young, Sarr, and other key role players.
