Hug Watch broke out Wednesday night in Atlanta.
The Hawks agreed to send Trae Young to the Wizards in a blockbuster trade during the middle of Wednesday’s 117-100 win over the Pelicans, with an injured Young sitting on the bench.
That led to Young’s goodbye to his teammates and staffers being captured on camera.
Young, wearing a polo shirt, shook hands with what appeared to be two staff members while the FanDuel Sports Network Southeast broadcast crew took note.
“This was the scene here at State Farm Arena moments ago,” the broadcaster said. “Nothing official at all, but the rumors are circulating that a potential trade between Atlanta…”
Young, 27, later gave a big hug to what appeared to be a fan sitting in the front row with the Hawks leading 100-81 with 7:13 remaining.
In the final minute, Young retreated away from the court and slapped hands with some fans while he made what may have been his last trek to the home locker room.
“Lonely man in the hallway,” the broadcaster said.
The Young era in Atlanta came to an end Wednesday night with the trade that will send him to Washington in exchange for veterans CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, according to ESPN.
He seemed destined to be traded after a report emerged earlier this week stating that his agents had talked with the Hawks about a potential split and he was “open-minded” to exiting, per the outlet.
Atlanta passed on giving Young a max extension, leaving him with just a $49 million player option for next season and an uncertain future with the team.
Another report emerged stating that Young preferred being traded to the Wizards, and the two struggling teams ultimately agreed to the deal.
This season marked Young’s eighth with the team, and while he provided some spectacular moments, the franchise did not become a perennial contender in his tenure.
The highlight came in 2021 when the Hawks bested the Knicks and the Sixers before falling to the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Hawks (18-21) have not won a playoff series since then, falling in the first round in 2022 and 2023, and failing to qualify for the postseason in each of the last two seasons.
He averaged 25.2 points per game and made four All-Star teams, and he’s appeared in just 10 games this year due to a right quad contusion.
Young joins a Wizards team that is again among the NBA’s worst with its 10-26 record, but Washington seemingly is hoping he can help lift the team’s floor as it builds for the future.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
