Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Trae Young Trade Reaction, End of a Dynasty For Warriors? & Sacramento Finds a Plan
Jan 9, 2026
NBA reporter Anthony Slater and ESPN insider Vince Goodwill dive into the recent Trae Young trade, analyzing its implications for both Washington and Atlanta. They discuss the evolving state of the Warriors, speculating whether this could be Steve Kerr's final season as the dynasty approaches its end. The conversation also investigates Sacramento's strategic rebuild, highlighting their key assets like Keegan Murray and the importance of new veteran signings to reshape team culture. Expect insightful takes on the future of these teams and the league!
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Trade Was Built Over Months
- Trae Young's trade was months in the making and became likely after Atlanta declined to extend him last summer.
- Washington paid short-term salary relief and took on Kispert's contract instead of giving draft compensation.
Salary Shapes Trade Value
- Teams hesitated to give draft capital for Trae because his $50M next-year salary made him hard to incentivize.
- The lack of picks in the deal signals few teams were willing to trade meaningful assets for him.
Both Teams Protect Their Draft Futures
- Washington may sit Trae to protect its top-8-protected pick and avoid moving up the standings.
- Atlanta also minimized return by offloading salary rather than acquiring significant draft capital.