Trae Young plans to decline his player option and test free agency when it opens in July, a decision that leaves the Wizards in a strong position for now. Young was traded to Washington in January from the Atlanta Hawks, but knee, thigh and quad injuries limit
Trae Young’s next move is already shaping up as a summer decision. A report says the Wizards’ star guard plans to decline his player option and enter free agency when the market opens in July.
Spears added that Washington remains the frontrunner for Young’s services when NBA free agency opens in July.
The timing makes the situation feel sharper for both sides. Young arrived in Washington in January after being traded from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert. But injuries quickly narrowed his first stretch with the Wizards. Knee, thigh and quad issues meant he managed just five games with the team.
Before the trade, Young’s time in Atlanta was already limited, too. He played in just 10 games with the Hawks, and in those appearances he posted career-lows in points (17.9), assists (eight) and rebounds (two).
That down season stands in contrast to what Young has been across most of his NBA career. Even through a shortened run. it’s clear why his name still carries weight around the league: he has previously been one of the NBA’s most offensively gifted guards. averaging 24-plus points from 2019-25. His best season came in 2019-20, when he scored a career-best 29.6 points per game.
In eight NBA seasons, Young has made four All-Star Games and earned All-NBA recognition by being named to the 2021-22 All-NBA Third Team. He was also the 2024-25 assist champion, averaging 11.6 dimes per game.
His shooting profile also points to a player who can still change games quickly when healthy: career splits of 43.3/35.2/87.2, with a true shooting percentage of 58 per cent.
The picture right now is a mix of uncertainty and momentum—Young’s free-agency plan adds pressure to the offseason, but the report’s indication that the Wizards are the frontrunner keeps Washington within striking distance of keeping their franchise centerpiece.
Trae Young Washington Wizards NBA free agency player option Atlanta Hawks C.J. McCollum Corey Kispert injuries knee thigh quad