Washington Wizards guard Trae Young and the franchise are both open to a contract extension beyond his current deal, though both parties may opt for a mutual evaluation period next season, league sources told ESPN. Young holds a player option worth $49 million for the 2026-27 season.
The four-time All-Star joined Washington in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks earlier this month. Young has averaged more than 25 points and 10 assists over the past three seasons, production no Wizards player has matched in a single season.
Despite his credentials, Young arrives in a supporting role rather than as the franchise centerpiece. Washington views second-year center Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, as their long-term building block.
“Trae understands that the team doesn’t need a savior,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins told ESPN. “He’s coming in to be a piece.”
Young embraced his new role when discussing his arrival in Washington. The 27-year-old point guard expressed comfort with not carrying the franchise label he held in Atlanta for five seasons.
“As a kid, you dream about that type of title,” Young told ESPN, when asked how he felt about not being cast as the face of the franchise in Washington. “But when you’re here [in the NBA] and you’re a part of it, you’re a part of winning, you understand that those things don’t really matter. I’m not a finished product. I know a lot of people may look at me like I am. But you’ve only seen me in Atlanta. You’ve never seen me anywhere else. So I don’t really want to get into too many narratives and what people say, but it’ll all be changed when I start winning games here.”
The veteran guard acknowledged his position as a bridge between generations. His experience could prove valuable for Washington’s young roster while he remains in his prime years.
“I came into a kind of similar spot that I did when I was a rookie, but I’m 27 now,” he said. “I’m more mature now. It may look and make me feel like I’m older because I’ve been around for a minute, but I’m not. I’m young enough where I can relate, but old enough I got enough experience. So I’m excited to be around some of these young guys.”
Young remains sidelined with knee and quadriceps injuries sustained earlier this season. He is expected to miss time through the All-Star break as he rehabilitates.
The Wizards are also managing his recovery carefully due to draft pick considerations. Washington retains its first-round selection only if it falls within the top eight positions. Otherwise, the pick transfers to the New York Knicks.
Young’s arrival represents the latest phase of Washington’s extensive rebuild. The franchise has posted fewer than 20 wins in each of the past two seasons and has not finished above .500 since the 2017-18 campaign.