Trae Young’s time in Atlanta felt like it had reached a standstill after eight seasons. The team and Young himself were both eager for change. While the process wasn’t flawless, the Hawks eventually worked with Young to facilitate his trade to the Washington Wizards.
That, however, is the external narrative.
Young recently shared a different perspective in a conversation with his friend, Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., on Porter’s YouTube channel. He said the real shift happened when Travis Schlenk was replaced by Onsi Saleh as the Hawks’ president of basketball operations (credit to Josh Robbins from The Athletic).
Young expressed fondness for the team’s owner Tony Ressler and the Atlanta community, stating he never wanted to leave on bad terms. But once Onsi Saleh took over as the third GM in his time there, the environment felt less comfortable. “There are many things I won’t reveal just yet, but sometimes it’s best to simply let go,” Young admitted.
Schlenk had strongly backed Young from the beginning, famously trading Luka Doncic on draft night to acquire him and consistently building the team around Young. Onsi Saleh, on the other hand, shifted the focus toward developing talent like Jalen Johnson and emphasizing a strong defense, which propelled Atlanta to a 20-6 record after the All-Star break and positioned them as a rising contender in the Eastern Conference.
Young likened this transition to any workplace where a new leader brings in their own people — making cuts, moving personnel, and reshaping the culture. “This was my third GM, so things were naturally different,” he said. It became clear to everyone around him that the team was either all in for the long haul or it was time for a clean break.
Eventually, they parted ways. Young secured what he wanted most: a four-year, $213 million contract extension with Washington, a deal many around the league considered an overpay and one that Atlanta was unlikely to offer. The Wizards now boast an intriguing roster with Young alongside big man Anthony Davis, while the Hawks continue building around young stars like No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa and Alex Sarr.
Atlanta has since moved forward, quietly assembling one of the more impressive offseasons in the league. Though Young and Saleh weren’t aligned in vision, Saleh has guided Atlanta toward a fresh identity and new direction.
In the end, Young was right — it was simply “time for everybody to just part their ways.”
Fan Take: This development highlights how management changes can dramatically alter player-team dynamics, reminding fans that basketball is as much about organizational fit as individual talent. Trae Young’s move could not only reshape the trajectories of the Hawks and Wizards but also signal how star players and teams navigate change in today’s NBA landscape.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
