Saleh Onion, general manager of the Atlanta Hawks, has explained the reasons for the recent transfer of Trae Young to the Wizards in an operation for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
The reasons are, basically, two very clear ones: the explosion of young players Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and also the salary flexibility that allows them to free up the 45 million of dollars for the 2026-27 academic year.
“If we have deals to close, why wait?” Saleh told the outlet. ESPN.
«That is my philosophy. If something you like makes sense, we’ll do it. We simply do what is best for our team. And as you know, I don’t have much patience…” he acknowledged.
Saleh also wanted to thank Young for his 7 years in Atlanta where he led his team to the playoffs three times and a presence in the Eastern Conference Finals.
In addition, he closes his time in the franchise as the top assistant and top three-point shooter in its history.
“Trae has been fundamental throughout these years,” highlighted the leader.
«We wish him and his wife the best. They have been phenomenal for our franchise, and for our community. We are talking about a player who has been our image for a long time. I wish them the best, and I’m sure they will get great things there,” he added.
Virtually the entire young core of the Hawks has a guaranteed contract until 2029. Enough time to develop this new project along with the aforementioned Johnson and Alexander-Walker, in addition to Dyson Daniels, Okongwu and Risacher.
Giant step for Johnson and his future in the NBA, which has already agreed to its extension in October 2024 by 5 years and 150 million dollars.
For his part, the Canadian arrived this past summer as a free agent from Minneapolis for 4 years and 62 million.
- Jalen Johnson: 120 million until 2029.
- Alexander-Walker: 45 million until 2028 (player option in 2029 for 15 million).
- Dyson Daniels: 83 million until 2029.
- Zaccharie Risacher: contract rookie until 2028.
“We really like the transfer and what we did is good for our present and our future,” Saleh acknowledged.
«This year we have learned a lot about our team. I think you’ve seen it too, right? Observing our group, the evolution that the young people have had. I think, again, the resurgence of certain players in our group and how everything has come together has been the key. “It was the right decision,” he explained.
Johnson’s growth
Johnson’s definitive explosion has only accelerated Young’s departure. With their presence on the court, and also that of the Canadian, they made the point guard expendable.
The team’s numbers were better without Young. Why wait? In addition, there were also some quarrels between both parties in the summer over an extension for the maximum salary that never came.
- Johnson 2024-25: 18.9 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists per day.
- Johnson 2025-26: 23.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 8.2 assists per day.
Additionally, he is second in the NBA with the most double-doubles (26), and third in triple-doubles with 7tied with Josh Giddey.
«Jalen (Johnson)’s game has evolved a lot and he is doing incredible things on the court. And most importantly, he is helping his teammates improve,” he highlighted.
«And that is how we see that this group continues to grow. It’s the group, it’s not just one player, right? It’s Jalen, it’s Dyson Daniels, it’s Okongwu, it’s Risacher, it’s Nickeil… We have these two guys who have made a huge leap (Johnson and Alexander-Walker), and when Dyson has the ball, we have been able to see it too. “So, again, it all comes down to what we are seeing and how our group is adapting, and not to one person,” he concluded.
The Hawks are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 20 wins and 22 losses.
(Cover photo: Imagn Images)
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