According to NBA reporter Brian Windhorst, Trae Young is likely to sign a large three-year deal with the Washington Wizards despite opting out of the final year of his contract on Wednesday.
Trae Young Expected to Re-Sign With Wizards
Wizards guard Trae Young made news on Wednesday when it was reported that the four-time NBA All-Star was expected to decline his $48.97 million player option and become a free agent. Speculation began about the reasoning behind Young’s decision, as he was seen as part of the Wizards’ long-term plans after they traded for him in January.
Though Young is expected to receive heavy interest around the league as a free agent, the end goal is that Young eventually signs a new deal with the Wizards. Windhorst believes Young could take a couple of free-agent visits to listen to pitches before re-signing with Washington.
“he may take a meeting or two for appearances’ sake,” Windhorst said. “But he’s likely going to re-sign with the Wizards on a three-year, very large contract.”
“He’s going to re-sign with the Wizards, likely on a three-year, very large contract.”@Windhorstespn gives an update on what could be next for Trae Young 🏀 pic.twitter.com/rQBcWPgczD
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 18, 2026
Young played only five games for the Wizards this season because of injury, but, as Windhorst notes, the plan all along when the trade happened was for Young to decline his option and become a free agent. Even though Washington had been in a full teardown rebuild for the past couple of seasons, collecting young talent, they felt like Young could help usher in the complete transition of the team’s build by adding an All-Star-caliber playmaking veteran.
The Wizards also acquired Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks this season, giving the team a formidable veteran duo to pair with young talents like Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Bub Carrington.
Teams that could sign Trae Young in Free Agency
If something unforeseen were to happen and Young and the Wizards are unable to agree to a deal, there are a couple of teams with the available cap space to be able to sign Young as a true free agent. The Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets are all three teams that could theoretically sign Young to a lucrative three-year contract.
The Lakers are the only team considered a contender, but they have matters of their own to tend to, as both Austin Reaves and LeBron James are set to be free agents and need to be re-signed. The Nets and Bulls are rebuilding just like the Wizards have been, so Young might just prefer the Wizards to those two teams anyway.
Young expected to help lead Wizards to the postseason next season
Young will be expected to help the Wizards from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to a potential play-in or playoff team. In an interview with the Pivot Podcast, Young mentioned that his goal was to bring the Wizards back to prominence in 2026, even saying he thinks the team could be the top seed in the East next season.
“Imagine the Wizards as the No. 1 team in the East next year,” Young said on the Pivot Podcast. “What are people going to be saying? I haven’t played much in a year and a half, but trust me, I’m just entering my prime. The way people talk about me is just funny.”
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