From play-in purgatory to Knicks playoff series, Hawks forge new identity in wake of Young's exit

Trae Young rose from the bench, shook the hands of his teammates and bid farewell to the 15,993 fans in State Farm Arena midway through the fourth quarter of the Hawks’ Jan. 7 win over the Pelicans. After weeks of anticipation, Atlanta had finalized a deal that sent the four-time NBA All-Star to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young, the centerpiece the franchise built around for the past seven seasons, had become synonymous with the Hawks.

By MAURA CAREY