Wizards Eye Trae Young In CJ McCollum Swap

Trae Young may be on the move and the Washington Wizards have emerged as a surprising suitor. Marc Stein called Washington a "legitimate potential trade destination" and reports say a deal would center on CJ McCollum's expiring contract. The Wizards are 9-25 and not contending, but Young’s star power and his player option could give Washington a short-term draw while Atlanta gains salary flexibility. Merlin sees this as more spectacle than a championship fix. Young has played just 10 games, is shooting a career-worst 30.5 percent from deep and faces sharp defensive criticism; as one executive warned, "It's hard to think of a team that's trying to win this season that Trae would help." Expect modest interest and a modest return unless Atlanta drops its price.