Trae Young’s Uncertain Future with Washington

There’s a bit of ambiguity surrounding Trae Young’s future in Washington. The former Hawks guard has opted out of his player option worth nearly $49 million, making him a free agent

While Washington is still considered a frontrunner for point guard options, several teams seem poised to express interest. Young is reportedly anticipating significant contract offers from multiple suitors.

Best known for his standout performance with the Hawks, where he was drafted fifth overall in 2018, Young spent eight seasons there and led the team in playoff appearances three times. The highlight was reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, where they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks, the eventual champions. Along the way, he turned into a bit of a villain at Madison Square Garden during a memorable first-round matchup against the Knicks.

In the 2024-2025 season, Young led the league in assists, averaging 11.6 per game. However, his last full season in Atlanta was challenging. Injuries plagued him, starting with a sprained right MCL that sidelined him for 22 games in 2025. His scoring also dipped, averaging just 19.3 points—his second-lowest since his rookie year. Ultimately, he was traded to the Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, but injuries continued to limit him to just five games in Washington.

The trade seemed beneficial for both sides. The Wizards gained a star to aid their rebuilding efforts, while the Hawks made it to the playoffs, albeit losing to the Knicks again in the first round.

Now, Washington faces the uncertainty of whether they can retain Young. The team is also managing another veteran, Anthony Davis, and the possibility of landing the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft could signal a shift towards a quicker rebuild.

The Wizards might look to acquire talented players like BYU’s AJ DeVansta and Kansas’ Darrin Peterson, alongside younger prospects like Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson.

As the NBA free agency period nears, set to begin on June 30th, the landscape could change rapidly.