“I just want Hawks fans to know how much love and appreciation I had for them from day one,” Young said. “I came in and found a way to make a name for myself, make a name for my team. I tried to put this city on the map, where people talked about us.”
But he conceded it was time to move on, to get a new start in the nation’s capital.
“When you’ve been there for so long, it kind of feels like your stay is not welcomed as much anymore,” Young said. “That’s OK, you know what I’m saying? That’s life, no matter what we do. We play a sport that’s not necessarily fair.”
He noted the optimism at the beginning of the season after the Hawks traded for Kristaps Porzingis, seemingly addressing one of their biggest weaknesses.
But Porzingis dealt with injuries and illness, playing only 17 games in Atlanta before he was traded to the Golden State Warriors.
“I wasn’t healthy this year. KP was not healthy this year,” Young said. “There’s a lot of things we could’ve done. But that’s neither here nor there. That’s in the past. Everything happens for a reason.”
Young is excited to see what he can build in Washington, especially looking ahead to next season with a healthy Davis, a promising group of youngsters and one of the top picks in a loaded draft.
The Hawks wished Young nothing but the best.
“Speaking on everyone’s behalf, we’re very appreciative of what Trae has done for our team and our franchise over the years,” coach Quin Snyder said. “We’re grateful to him and his family for that. We just wish him well in this next phase of his career.”
When he glanced ahead at the schedule, Young had hoped to lead his new team against his former team. It didn’t work out, and Young is unlikely to play Thursday when the teams meet against in Atlanta.
“When I was doing the rehab, obviously I was hoping I could come back and play,” Young said. “I’m in a great spot right now. I wish I could play tonight, my first night here, but it wasn’t in God’s plans. But I’m going to be back playing here a lot in the future.”
When his new teammates headed to the court for the opening tip, Young remained in a nook under the stands, pulling on an elastic band as part of his rehab.
But he joined the bench — at the visiting end of the court — in time for a tribute video early in the second quarter. As the crowd rose in a standing ovation, Young formed his hands in the sign of a heart and mouthed “thank you” over and over again.
“That is probably the one plus of playing right now,” he said before the game. “I can maybe get some emotions out of the way the first time and not be so emotional every time.’