He’s no longer in Atlanta, but Trae Young has once again stolen the NBA spotlight from the Knicks.
Hours before New York braced for its championship parade, reports surfaced that perpetual Gotham villain Young plans to decline his $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season, and will become a free agent Monday.
Per NBA insider Marc Stein, Washington remains the front-runner to re-sign Young, but multiple teams will have interest, and the decision could have an effect on the Wizards’ plans with the No. 1 pick, and the entire NBA Draft, next week.
Young, who was acquired by the Wizards in January and played just five games in DC, played last season on the final guaranteed year of the four-year, $229 million max extension he had signed with Atlanta.
He played 15 total games last year between Atlanta and Washington, averaging 17.9 points and 8.0 assists around injuries, and Washington acquired him in hopes that he, fellow future acquisition Anthony Davis, and what turned out to be the No. 1 pick could supplement and lead the young core built during the Michael Winger/Will Dawkins-era tear down and rebuild.
Young even said earlier this month he thinks the Wizards, as constructed and with the top pick, could compete for the top seed in the East – but now, with the four-time All-Star opting out and Davis having made many comments that intimate he isn’t thrilled to be in Washington, next week – and next season – look a little cloudier.
