Washington Wizards star Trae Young is reportedly entering unrestricted free agency on Monday. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported on Wednesday that Young will decline his $48.97 million player option and seek max money from either Washington or another team. While Young remains interested in the Wizards’ project, he’s expecting offers from others.
“Wizards star Trae Young plans to decline his $48.97 million player option for the 2026–27 season to become a FA on Monday, sources,” Spears said on X. “Washington remains the front runner for the four-time NBA All-Star as he loves the team and DC, but he still expects multiple team max interest.”
Young joined the Wizards in January in a trade deal that sent CJ McCollum and Korey Kispert to Atlanta. The three-time All-Star guard didn’t debut until March, playing five games for his new team. Young averaged 15.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists on efficient shooting splits of 59.5% from the field and 42.9% from deep.
With Trae Young choosing not to extend, speculation grew about his potential departure from the Wizards. However, it seems that Young is making an expected move by declining his player option to sign a long-term deal with the team. Washington hasn’t had an All-Star caliber presence, let alone two, with Anthony Davis also on the team, since Bradley Beal and John Wall led them in their primes.
Retaining Young on a longer deal would likely be the Wizards’ ideal choice as they can build around him, Davis and the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. The Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are the only other teams with max salary cap space, and none are likely to pursue Young with their point guard spots filled for now.
Spears’ reporting that the Wizards are “front runners” to sign him only points towards his potential contract extension with the franchise.
Wizards viewed Trae Young as the best free agent on the market when they traded for him
The Wizards had one eye on the future when they acquired Trae Young in January. Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto’s report from Wednesday, which dropped hours before Marc J. Spears’ rumor, suggests that the Wizards were aware of Young’s desire to sign a new contract.
“When the Washington Wizards acquired Trae Young for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, they effectively did their free agency shopping early, viewing Young as the most valuable free agent on the market, HoopsHype has learned,” Scotto wrote.
The Wizards consider him the ideal offensive engine to elevate their young core, which lacked such a presence at the point of attack. Scotto added that Young hopes to be with the Wizards for a long time. The two parties reaching a new deal is the “ultimate expectation” around league circles, Scotto wrote.
Read more:
- NBA Draft Report: Utah Jazz Still Want Darryn Peterson Without a Meeting While AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer Remain Viable Options
- NBA Draft: 3 Lottery Candidates Warriors Monitoring as Strategic Slide Options
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
