[Spears] “It hit me driving to the arena in Atlanta,” Young told Andscape on Friday night… “I literally started crying on my way to the arena… Just knowing that it was my last time driving to the arena, that’s why I went out and shot.”
“It hit me driving to the arena in Atlanta,” Young told Andscape on Friday night from Capital One Arena prior to the Wizards’ game against the Pelicans. “I figured it was going to happen that night or at some point that day just from talking to my agent. I literally started crying on my way to the arena, just knowing it’s my last drive probably, because they’re [Hawks] going on the West Coast anyway.
“So, whether it happened that day or whatever, that was the only time I even cried throughout the whole thing was on my drive to the arena. That was the only time it was really emotional. Just knowing that it was my last time driving to the arena, that’s why I went out and shot. Nobody probably expected me to go out there. I didn’t go to shootaround. So, I went out there and that was my way of being able to say it’s over and I’m good with it.”
When you got on the Wizards team plane to Washington on Thursday morning, you’re flying away from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. You get on the jet and Wizards general manager Will Dawkins is there and Travis Schlenk. Tell me your emotions being on that plane when it departs Atlanta?
I had some bittersweet emotions. It was exciting. It was sad because, obviously, when I got drafted, I didn’t plan on ever having to leave. Growing up in Oklahoma where I’m from, you got to be loyal. And so, I wanted to always be there [in Atlanta]. And then it felt like with [Schlenk] picking me up, it was just natural. It felt like it was supposed to be this way, to be honest with you. Travis being the one that’s there picking me up, you know what I’m saying? It was only right. So, it was good though.
When did you realize it was probably time to part with the Hawks?
To be honest with you, I wanted to be able to help both sides. And to be honest, I didn’t even want to get it to my player option this summer to do that because that could end up leaving Atlanta with nothing. As much as people wanted to say [otherwise], I didn’t even want to put that in the air.
So, I wanted to give the first half of the season of chance. And me and [Hawks forward] Kristaps [Porzingis] being injured and stuff, it just felt like the right time. And [Hawks forward] Jalen [Johnson] has been balling and I was always helping and wanting to get him the ball, too. So, I just felt like it was time. And I always wanted to leave on the right note, too.
You put out an interesting statement on your social media posts reflecting on your exit from the Hawks. What was your thought process in writing it and what did you feel was important to get out in that?
I wanted to get that out so I didn’t have to address it later on after I was done and actually officially here. I wanted to let that chapter be its chapter and then move on and then be here. So, that’s why I got that out before everything else. I just wanted to end that chapter.
Did it upset or disappoint you that the Hawks never offered you a contract extension?
It was more disappointing, but that’s part of it. It didn’t make me mad. It did make me sad. It was more disappointing. You wish it could have worked out and stuff, but that’s life. Maybe that not working out could be the blessing in disguise.