Corey Kispert delivered a standout performance in his first return to face the Washington Wizards since being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in January. The Wizards and Hawks met in Atlanta just two days after former Wizard Trae Young was honored, shifting the spotlight onto Kispert and CJ McCollum, the two players exchanged for Young. Kispert’s 33-point game highlighted the emotional reunion with his former teammates and reflected the complexity of adjusting to a new team while competing against familiar faces.
Contrasting Experiences: Kispert and McCollum Reflect on Their Time with the Wizards
Kispert, picked 15th overall by Washington in the 2021 NBA Draft, had spent nearly two and a half seasons with the Wizards before the trade. Speaking after the game, Kispert described his feelings in facing the Wizards again after the move.
“I spent my whole career competing against these guys in practice,”
Kispert said to reporters after the game.
And to do it in a different uniform now felt funny, especially two days ago. Today felt a little bit more normal. I have unbelievable relationships with the guys on the other side. I felt like it was seeing old friends that I’ve missed since the trade.
Corely Kispert, Forward
For Kispert, the game was both a display of growth and a bittersweet encounter, as he witnessed the development of his former teammates while proving his own value in Atlanta’s system.
In contrast, CJ McCollum had a shorter tenure with the Wizards. Acquired in the offseason and with only a few months on the roster, his most memorable performance as a Wizard was a 46-point outing against the Hawks in November. Reflecting on his brief stop in Washington, McCollum took a more pragmatic view of the return game.
“It was just another game,” McCollum stated.
I was there for 120 days, but it was a great time. I enjoyed my time there. The organization was great to me. Staff was great, front office, players, but I’ve moved on, and I think they’ve moved on too, and wish them nothing but the best. But just another game that we needed to win.
CJ McCollum, Guard
McCollum, with 13 years in the league and experience as president of the National Basketball Players Association, approached the trade and subsequent matchup with professional detachment, acknowledging the transient nature of NBA careers.
I think this game meant more to [Corey], he’d been there for a long time,
McCollum added.
For me, I had a cup of coffee and tea there. I had to figure out the directions on how to get to the facility without a GPS, and then I got traded.
CJ McCollum, Guard
Adjusting to Change: Kispert’s Emotional Transition
Unlike McCollum, this trade represented the first major upheaval in Kispert’s professional journey, bringing emotional challenges as he left behind long-established relationships. He described the difficulty of sudden change after several years in Washington.
Saying goodbye to people that you had built relationships with for four and a half years is really difficult,
Kispert said.
In the blink of an eye, I’m in a new city and playing with a new team. I felt like I was drinking out of a fire hose for a long time.
Corey Kispert, Forward
More than a month after the trade, Kispert appears settled and confident, showcasing the best scoring performance of his career during the game against his former team. Interestingly, he preferred to keep his quest for a career high quiet during the contest.
I didn’t expect anyone to know, I wanted to keep it on the low. Knock on wood kind of stuff,
Kispert revealed.
The Broader Context: Competing While Developing Young Talent
Both Kispert and McCollum have moved from the Wizards’ organization, which is focused on developing young players through a bridge year, to the Hawks, a team also constructing around youth but aiming to remain competitive. Their contrasting perspectives reflect different stages and experiences within professional basketball.
Kispert’s emotional adjustment and strong showing affirm his potential as part of Atlanta’s future, while McCollum’s pragmatic outlook highlights the business realities faced by veteran players. Their journeys illustrate the complex dynamics of team-building in the NBA, where trades impact not only rosters but personal connections and career trajectories.
Trae Young receives an emotional tribute video from the Hawks during his first game back in Atlanta ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Kj8yBhiIkj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 25, 2026
