The Washington Wizards’ recent blockbuster for Trae Young has been met with overwhelming positivity. The four-time NBA All-Star may be injured, but his acquisition has no doubt altered the team’s rebuilding timeline. While no one expects the guard to play much this season, fans now have a timeline of when he could make his debut.
Wizards Provide Clarity On New Guard’s Injury Timeline
Young has only played 10 games this season before being traded to Washington for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Due to injuries, Young hasn’t played in nearly a month. His last outing was on December 27th when he was still with the Hawks. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, he may not play for another two months. The Wizards won’t re-evaluate the guard until after the All-Star break.
The Wizards want to be cautious with Young’s health. Rushing him back too early could result in a worse injury or ruin the odds at the number one pick. So, when could we see Young’s debut? There are two games certainly worth monitoring after the break.
Young’s Return Could Be Against Atlanta
With his evaluation scheduled to take place after the break, Young’s debut could very well be against his former team. The Wizards will play three games before Washington heads to A-Town for a back-to-back against the Hawks, eight days after the festivities have concluded.
There are some other games worth thinking about letting the former Hawk make his debut in. Washington will play the Indiana Pacers twice in those three games before the Hawks, with the Charlotte Hornets being that last contest. The season series against the Jazz will start and end in March. Additionally, Washington could really be in their bag and let him debut against Jordan Poole and the New Orleans Pelicans, showcasing Poole’s replacement.
If not, will Young see the court at all? Throughout the rest of the season, the Wizards will play only 24 more games, and to keep their tank heading in the right direction, Young may get the Brandon Ingram treatment. Shutting down the young star may be worth the reward, with a great pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and Young’s return next season.
Wizards Outlook
Washington has 15 games left before the All-Star break, and unfortunately, fans can expect similar results to the Wizards’ previous outings since the trade. Eight of the contests will be against teams in the current postseason picture. They could easily (and probably want to) lose most, if not all, these games.
Fortunately, the tank will stay intact. The Wizards have a few crucial battles over the duration, including games against the Sacramento Kings, Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets. All four teams are within three and a half games of each other, and the tank race could come down to the rather unfortunate wins in these contests.
The Last Word
The Washington Wizards front office should be slow in ramping up Trae Young back into competition. Let him mesh with the young guys, build chemistry with the team, and then introduce him to the lineup. Fans may not like it, but health is the most important thing for a future centerpiece of the franchise.
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