Trae Young admits he’s Wizards’ defensive ‘weak link,’ promises effort

Trae Young isn’t pretending to be something he’s not.

The Wizards guard knows nobody has ever confused him with Gary Payton defensively. But Young believes his new surroundings in Washington may make life considerably easier on that end.

“I’m probably going to be the weak link defensively, but I can still give effort,” Young told reporters, via Henry JNBA. “I got a lot of rim protectors and help behind me now.”

Well, points for honesty. Young is entering his first full season with the Wizards after appearing in just five games for Washington following last season’s trade from Atlanta.

The roster around him looks considerably different now, too. Washington has assembled plenty of size behind Young, beginning with Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr and offseason addition Deandre Ayton. Wings such as Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George give Washington additional length on the perimeter.

In other words, the Wizards aren’t asking Young to suddenly become an All-Defensive guard. They’re asking him to compete while giving him considerably more protection behind him.

Young’s job remains mostly what it has always been: create offense. He’s averaged 25.1 points and 9.8 assists over his NBA career and signed a four-year, $212.8 million extension with Washington this summer.

The Wizards know what they’re getting. Apparently, Young does too.