DHJ Quick Take: Young Opting Out to Hit Free Agency
- Declining the Option: Washington Wizards guard Trae Young plans to decline his $48.9 million player option for the 2026–27 season, choosing to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason.
- Brief, Injury-Plagued Stint: Acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in January, Young appeared in just five games for Washington due to injuries, averaging 15.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists per contest during his brief floor time.
- Miami Looming as a Suitor: While free agency allows him to negotiate a new deal to return to Washington, Young is already heavily linked to the Miami Heat, who view the All-Star playmaker as a premier backup target if their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo falls through.
Washington Wizards guard Trae Young plans to decline his $48.9 million player option for the 2026–27 season, according to Marc J. Spears of ESPN.
Young will enter unrestricted free agency this offseason.
The Wizards acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks in January. Young played in just five games with Washington because of injuries. He averaged 15.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.
Washington has the first overall pick in this year’s draft. The current roster is headlined by Young (if he stays), Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington.
The Wizards are expected to draft AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer with the first pick. They could also trade the first pick for a grand haul.
A four-time All-Star, Young holds career averages of 25.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game with the Hawks and Wizards. He led Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
As an unrestricted free agent, Young can either re-sign with the Wizards or sign with another team. He’s been linked to the Miami Heat, who could pursue Young if they fail to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks.
A league source told Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal that Young is expected to re-sign with the Wizards on a new multi-year deal.
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