Washington Wizards guard Trae Young dropped a potentially telling message for his former Atlanta Hawks teammate Zaccharie Risacher.
Risacher was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 draft, but he has already fallen out of favor with the Hawks, who traded him to the Dallas Mavericks in a multi-team deal that netted them 2024 NBA Champion Lu Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It is a fresh start for Risacher, and Young wants him to embrace it.
Trae Young Offers Telling Words to Former Hawks Teammate
GettyTrae Young took a swipe at the Atlanta Hawks in a message to Zaccharie Risacher.
Before the Wizards acquired him in a trade last season, Young spent seven full campaigns with the Hawks, most of that time as the face of the franchise. He spoke highly of the organization after his trade, reflected fondly on his tenure, and got emotional during his tribute video.
However, he took a clear shot at the Hawks in his message to Risacher.
“My boy free!” Young said in the replies of Risacher’s post on Instagram thanking the Hawks on July 20. “Go fly killa! [fingers crossd emoji].”
The Hawks shared a heart emoji, and former teammate Jalen Johnson called Risacher his “brother 4L.” But Young’s comment took on a noticeably different tone, and one that did not go unnoticed by those who came across it.
Young did not face the Hawks after his trade to the Wizards.
Those matchups between Southeastern Conference rivals will surely have some additional spice, even if Young’s comments were regarding Risacher’s situation rather than his own.
At one point, there was grumblings of discontent about the level of influence Young had within the Hawks. There was also a point at which he and head coach Quin Snyder were seemingly in lockstep with one another. He also suggested he did not always have their full support.
Whatever the case, Young took a noteworthy tone with the now-Wizards star’s former team.
Trae Young Gets Honest With AJ Dybantsa
GettyTrae Young kept it real with AJ Dybantsa.
Young’s current situation with the Wizards also features another No. 1 overall pick in 2026 selection AJ Dybantsa.
The two drew attention as they hung out showing early team chemistry during Fanatics Fest NYC. Young continued to play into his rivalry with the New York Knicks during his time there, including ripping a Jalen Brunson jersey in a pro wrestling-stye entrance.
In a behind-the-scenes clip, Dybantsa is seen calling Young “New York’s Most Hated.”
Young told Dybantsa in response, “You don’t wanna be a part of this yet. Just wait,” turned to the camera to tell Brunson it was “not personal” and then walked out.
Dybantsa continued to hype Young, saying that the four-time All-Star should throw the jersey while watching from a monitor backstage. Young returned to Fanatics owner Michael Rubin, telling him he enjoyed the experience.
Young is heading into a high-pressure situation.
Trae Young Has Plenty to Prove With Wizards
GettyTrae Young has an opportunity to prove his doubters wrong with the Washington Wizards.
The Wizards’ outlook remains nebulous as the offseason plays out, and his recent contract extension making him one of the few true certainties after the injury-shortened season he had in 2025-26 has been polarizing.
It has also locked him into a situation that remains largely fluid.
The future of Anthony Davis remains integral to the Wizards’ success pending the kind of return in a trade that would allow Young and Co. to compete this coming season.
Wizards’ Trae Young Takes Shot at Hawks in Strong Message to Former Teammate