Vinay Kumar
Trae Young is now a Wizard. He arrived with the weight of seven seasons in Atlanta and the responsibility of guiding one of the league’s youngest rosters. At his first public moment with the Wizards, Young spoke about his future in theroster and his excitement.NBA fans quickly went to celebrate the NBA veteran’s response. Reactions across social platforms reflected respect for how Young framed his transition. Washington supporters welcomed the message. Neutral fans noticed the shift. But for Young, he appears to be more excited than ever.
Trae Young addresses new Wizards teammates
At his introductory press conference, Trae Young focused on connection and responsibility. He spoke about his role with the roster, many of whom are still early in their careers. “Just being able to have an impact on my teammates… being able to be a vet with these young guys here… I’m just super excited,” Trae Young shared in a recent press conference as a Wizard.That message aligned with why Washington pursued him. The Wizards moved CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to create flexibility and bring in a proven offensive leader. The organization views Young as a central figure who can raise standards while helping young players grow within a demanding league environment.Fans went on to shower praise on his latest comments. “Man is humble. Welcome to the fold mate 🫵,” one fan wrote.“Wizards gonna be wizarding with Trae,” another shared.“Appreciate his positivity,” one fan shared.One fan hailed his future leadership, “love seeing you lead the team.”January 7, 2026, marked Young’s final game as a Hawk, though injury kept him on the bench. A right quad contusion denied him a final moment on the court, closing his Atlanta chapter quietly. However, Young is looking to jump into his next chapter.
Trae Young reflects on Atlanta exit as fans respond
Young did not avoid the emotions tied to leaving the franchise that drafted him in 2018. In his farewell message, he explained why change became necessary. “The last few years weren’t how I wanted them to be,” Young said. “Expectations that we created for ourselves, reaching heights that Atlanta has never reached before.“Bringing a championship to Atlanta was always my goal. However, between the injuries, the setbacks, and situations that didn’t make sense, we never truly got to see our full potential.”He addressed the decision with honesty rather than blame. “The pain of staying the same eventually outweighed the uncertainty of change. Change is often met with fear, but I see it as another opportunity.”In Washington, Young now reunites with Travis Schlenk, the executive who drafted him.Also Read: “We never truly got to see our full potential”: Trae Young bids Atlanta Hawks a bittersweet farewell with an emotional post
