Just before the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season, Trae Young, a multi-time NBA All-Star, found himself once again at the center of a dispute with former NBA player Patrick Beverley. The latest exchange came late on March 5, 2026, when Beverley used social media to deliver a pointed message following Young’s trade from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards.
Patrick Beverley reignited tensions by questioning why no contending teams showed interest in Young and why Atlanta decided to trade their franchise cornerstone. This interaction highlights the ongoing friction between the two basketball figures amid Trae Young’s transition to a new team.
Details Surrounding Trae Young’s Transfer and Public Remarks
On January 7, 2026, Trae Young was officially traded by the Hawks to the Washington Wizards, marking a significant turning point in his career. Despite the trade taking place nearly two months ago, Young had not appeared in a game for his new team until March 5. This delay was due in part to an injury setback that he sustained earlier in the season while still with Atlanta, which hampered his performance throughout the 2025-2026 campaign.
Patrick Beverley used this moment of inactivity to publicly question Young’s value as an NBA franchise player. Beverley’s post on social media included pointed questions:
“Wait wait. Looky looky what happen?? Aww ok I guess I wasn’t wrong!! And why didn’t a contending team want him? And why did ATL trade franchise?”
This was perceived as an attempt to undermine Young’s upcoming debut with the Wizards, scheduled for a game against the Utah Jazz on March 5.
Assessing Trae Young’s Recent Performance and Challenges
The current NBA season has not unfolded as expected for Young. His contract situation with the Hawks was unresolved, leading to speculation about his potential departure. Over the course of only 10 appearances this season with Atlanta, Young averaged 19.3 points per game—a noticeable drop, as this is the first time since his rookie season that his scoring average dipped below 20 points.
In addition, Young shot 41% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc, both marks lower than his previous standards. His assists per game also fell from 11.6 last season, when he led the league in that category, down to 8.9 assists. These statistics reflect a challenging season impacted by injury and team dynamics.
Although the Washington Wizards are not positioned to make the playoffs this year, Young’s upcoming games with the team provide him with the chance to begin integrating into his new role and setting the stage for the following season.
Future Prospects of the Beverley and Young Conflict
Whether Trae Young will publicly respond to Beverley’s recent comments remains uncertain. Their feud has simmered in recent months after heated exchanges during the offseason. Young took offense to Beverley’s claims that All-Stars, including himself, may take the game for granted, especially since Beverley himself never earned All-Star honors.
Beverley replied by highlighting Young’s perceived lack of playoff success and insinuating that other players were reluctant to play alongside him. Despite these sharp exchanges, the dispute appeared to ease while Young remained focused on his tenure with the Hawks. Over three seasons in Atlanta, Young played 493 regular-season games and participated in 27 playoff contests, compiling career averages of 25.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, alongside a 43% shooting accuracy from the field.
As Young prepares to begin his chapter with the Washington Wizards, the unresolved tension with Beverley adds a layer of distraction. How this rivalry will influence Young’s mindset and performance going forward remains to be seen, but it certainly captures the attention of fans and analysts closely following the Trae Young trade feud.
Wait wait. Looky looky what happen?? Aww ok I guess I wasn’t wrong!! And why didn’t a contending team want him? And why did ATL trade franchise?
PatBev™️ https://t.co/ZZABXXnbEv
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) March 5, 2026
