The Atlanta Majestic Soaring Birds of Prey, formerly the Pigeons, ne "Hawks" drafted star Trae Young with the fifth pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Young became a four-time All-Star and third team All-NBA point guard with Atlanta. In his eight full season Young averaged 25.2 points per game.

But Atlanta went only 221-272 over Young's career. On January 9, 2026 Atlanta traded him to the the Washington Lizards, formerly the "Wizards, ne "Bullets" in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. 

It is conventional wisdom in evaluating trades involving multiple players that the team that gets the best player wins. Five cups of weak coffee do not make a pot of strong coffee. By this measure, D.C. won the trade. The Lizards are tanking and have shut Young down for the season in pursuit of the abyss. McCollum has averaged 19.5 ppg over a thirteen-year career, and is 34 years old. Kispert, 27, is a career 10.9 guy.

But the CW was wrong this time. The trade of Young was addition by subtraction for Atlanta. 19-21 at the time of the trade they have soared to a 24-12 record without him and the sixth spot, in the playoffs without having to go through the play-in, in the Middle East. Atlanta won this trade.