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The Awkward Trade: Trae Young heads to the Washington Wizards

ATLANTA — On Wednesday night, something felt off long before the final buzzer sounded at State Farm Arena. Trae Young warmed up in non-team attire—a white Jordan Brand dri-fit shirt, dark sweatpants, and Jordan sneakers—an unusual departure from his customary Hawks-issued gear. As he made his way around the court, Young acknowledged ball boys, arena […]

Published

2 months ago

January 8, 2026

Oakland Post

ATLANTA — On Wednesday night, something felt off long before the final buzzer sounded at State Farm Arena. Trae Young warmed up in non-team attire—a white Jordan Brand dri-fit shirt, dark sweatpants, and Jordan sneakers—an unusual departure from his customary Hawks-issued gear. As he made his way around the court, Young acknowledged ball boys, arena staff, and fans, signing autographs and exchanging brief words. To many in attendance, it looked less like a pregame routine and more like a farewell.

That sense proved prescient. Before Atlanta boarded its west-coast road trip, the Hawks dealt the four-time All-Star to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. McCollum’s contract expires after the season, while Kispert—who is under contract for two additional years at $27 million—is a career 38 percent shooter from beyond the arc.

At first glance, the return raised eyebrows. Atlanta parted with a player averaging 25.8 points and 10 assists per game over his career without receiving draft compensation. The explanation, however, lies beneath the surface.

Young has been synonymous with the Hawks since arriving as the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He holds franchise records for both three-pointers made and assists, and he guided Atlanta to three postseason appearances, highlighted by a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. That spring, Young embraced the role of antagonist at Madison Square Garden, energizing a fan base and turning himself into a must-see attraction league-wide.

Trae Young was always a topic of conversation! He had his fans and he had his opponents. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen)

The Backstory

However, when the Hawks were swiftly eliminated from the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, former General Manager Landry Fields was fired. He would be replaced by Onsi Saleh in 2024 after spending the previous three seasons as an executive with the Golden State Warriors. Saleh’s first order of business was building a team around Trae Young. But, after the Hawks failed to make it out of the play-in tournament once again in the 2024-2025 season, chatter began to build around Young’s future and contract.

In the 2025 offseason, Saleh brought in a sharp-shooter in Luke Kennard, brought in a versatile swingman in Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Kristaps Porzingis. Pairing those three players with a young core consisting of Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Rishacher, and Onyeka Okongwu, the Hawks seemed poised to contend in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

This season, the Hawks were 2-8 with Young in the lineup. Why? Atlanta plays better defense with Young on the bench, and much worse with him on the court. This season, Atlanta is 16-13 without Young on the court. They score 118.5 points per game and give up 116.8 points per contest. Compared to giving up nearly 127 points per game with Young on the court.

Leverage … and the lack thereof

When Saleh declined to offer Young a contract extension last summer, chatter of a trade began to build. Young’s representatives – Aaron Mintz, Drew Morrison and Austin Brown – would initiate trade talks and management obliged. The news became public on Monday. It emerged that the Milwaukee Bucks, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Washington Wizards were Young’s top three targets. It does not answer the question why Young’s leverage was so low?

To the chagrin of many Hawks fans, the market for Young’s services was very low. Young has shot 43% from the field during his career. Young also turns the ball over as much as anybody, with a 4.2 turnover rate, one of the highest in NBA history. The Wizards are receiving a bonafide playmaker, but 75 percent of his turnovers come from passes. Also, Young is not a great on-ball defender, which has always been a strong point of contention among casual fans and hoop heads alike.

Young had a $49 million player option this offseason that would make him an expiring contract. He could also opt out in the summer, depart as a free agent and give the Hawks almost $40 million in cap space. In the end, Young asked to be traded to the Wizards, and Hawks management granted his request.

An Awkward Goodbye

Young was officially sidelined Wednesday due to a right quad contusion, marking his fifth consecutive missed game. As rumors circulated throughout the arena and the Hawks prepared for their upcoming trip, the timing aligned for a deal. At 9:27 p.m. ET, ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news. Phones buzzed across the building with 7:13 remaining on the clock.

Young remained seated on the bench, briefly disappearing into the tunnel before returning to the court during a timeout, casually dribbling a basketball. He exchanged words with comedian DC Young Fly, co-host of The 85 South Show, and eventually exited the arena for good. As play-by-play announcer Bob Rathbun noted on the broadcast, “He is the only man in the hallway.”

Trae Young attempts a lay-up during the first half of an NBA game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, December 2, 2024 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen)

What Comes Next

The Trae Young era in Atlanta has come to a close. While he never delivered a championship, Young electrified crowds, inspired a generation of young fans, and embraced the spotlight in a city drawn to bold personalities.

He will return to State Farm Arena soon—this time in a Wizards uniform—when Washington visits on February 24 and 26.

For the Wizards, executive Travis Schlenk sees Young as a foundational piece in their rebuild. Schlenk, who originally drafted Young in 2018, reunites with the point guard in Washington. Young joins a developing roster that includes rookie Tre Johnson, wings Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, and Bub Carrington, along with rising big man Alex Sarr, who is averaging 17 points, nearly eight rebounds, and three assists per game.

Meanwhile, Atlanta moved forward, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 117–100 on Wednesday night.

“I know you all have questions for me that right now I’m not at liberty to talk about or answer,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said as he opened his postgame press conference.

Whether this cultural reset leads to sustained success remains an open question.

Trae Young signs his jersey for Offset after an NBA game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, March 3, 2023 at State Farm Arena. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen)

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Related Topics:Alex Sarr Atlanta Hawks Bub Carrington CJ McCollum Corey Kispert NBA Onsi Saleh Sports Trae Young washington wizards

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Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

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Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

1 week ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

1 week ago

February 27, 2026

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Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,