Sources: Early Contract Extension Interest Emerges After Trae Young Trade

In the aftermath of the trade that sent Trae Young to the Washington Wizards, league sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com that early interest has emerged on potential contract frameworks on both ends of the deal.

Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com there is internal interest in extension concepts for C.J. McCollum with the Atlanta Hawks, centered on a potential one-year deal for an estimated $20 million. Such a concept is viewed internally as a short-term bridge that preserves cap flexibility while allowing Atlanta to remain competitive. McCollum, 34, has averaged 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists this season, production Atlanta views as reflective of his ability to remain aggressive as a scorer while providing steady ball-handling alongside the current core.

On the Washington side, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com that the Wizards have interest in a three-year framework, with compensation potentially in the $120 million range. There is an openness on both sides to explore a longer-term partnership after Young’s representation worked with the Wizards’ front office to land him at a preferred destination. Young, 27, has averaged 19.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 8.9 assists in 10 games this season. His season has been significantly impacted by injuries, including his current streak of absences that has reached six games due to a right quadriceps contusion.

Fit for the Washington Wizards as Draft Position Looms

From a basketball standpoint, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com that the long-term appeal of adding Young lies in bringing in a high-volume scorer and elite playmaker whose presence reshapes how defenses are forced to guard Washington, particularly in half-court settings. Several young rotation pieces are viewed internally as strong complementary players, but are more effective when advantages are created for them rather than when asked to initiate offense themselves. Young is seen as a guard who consistently draws multiple defenders at the point of attack, materially improving spacing, streamlining decision-making, and elevating shot quality across the lineup.

Key members of Washington’s young core welcome the opportunity to play alongside an elite passer like Young, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com, viewing the pairing as a way to accelerate development rather than slow it. Young’s ability to bend defensive coverages creates a different level of offensive gravity that aligns with the Wizards’ developmental timeline.

As Washington navigates the remainder of the season, DallasHoopsJournal.com sources point to the Wizards’ top-eight protected first-round pick as a significant factor shaping their short-term approach. The current rumblings from sources with knowledge of the situation suggest Young is not expected to play much for the rest of this season as the organization prioritizes retaining that pick while managing workload and long-term health.

Beyond the court, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that Washington also views Young as a rare intersection of basketball impact and marketability. Internally, he is seen as the type of recognizable star talent the franchise has lacked — one capable of re-engaging fans and helping draw attendance back into Capital One Arena as the organization continues progressing through its rebuilding phase.

Trade Deadline Outlook for the Atlanta Hawks

For Atlanta, McCollum’s arrival is viewed as a functional on-court complement for the short-term future. Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that the Hawks see McCollum as another ball-handling option who can be aggressive as a scorer while fitting alongside their current core. Atlanta values McCollum’s ability to operate both on and off the ball, providing lineup flexibility and secondary creation without requiring the offense to be fully reoriented.

Sources also indicate to DallasHoopsJournal.com that it appears unlikely for Atlanta to succeed in a midseason trade for Anthony Davis at this stage. Barring a shift in willingness to include more value in a trade package, Atlanta is not believed to be an imminent trade possibility. League sources describe the Hawks’ current posture as measured relating to the possibility of acquiring 32-year-old Davis, who is eligible for a contract extension in August. Atlanta has two key assets that the front office lacks interest in parting with, including recent No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher and the 2026 first-round pick swap that could land the New Orleans Pelicans’ selection.

Young being traded this early before the Feb. 5 midseason deadline does help the financial landscape for the Hawks to make a significant midseason trade acquisition. However, acquiring a star player before the deadline would impact the financial flexibility the team could benefit from having after knowing who they will select in the 2026 NBA Draft, as they continue to build around Johnson.

As NBA agents and teams use midseason trade activity to work ahead, there is motivation from Davis’ representation to land a commitment on a contract extension. As it stands, Dallas isn’t positioned to make assurances, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com. The Mavericks would like to see Davis play alongside Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, but it remains to be seen when Irving will play after recovering from ACL surgery.

By all accounts, the recovery process has gone well for Irving, but there remains no communicated timetable for a return to the lineup with less than a month before the trade deadline. Irving traveled with the Mavericks for the team’s three-game road trip, with stops already made in Sacramento and Utah, followed by a final game in Chicago.

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