Wizards in no rush to return Trae Young as draft implications loom

The Wizards may be in no rush to put Trae Young on the floor this season following his trade from the Hawks.

According to The Athletic, there’s a growing belief around the league that Washington will take an extremely cautious approach with Young’s rehab, raising the possibility that the four-time All-Star could see little or no action before the season ends.

Young appeared in just 10 games for the Hawks due to injuries before the deal and is currently sidelined with a right quad contusion and lingering MCL issues.

One league executive suggested draft considerations are central to the calculus. Washington’s 2026 first-round pick is top-eight protected and would otherwise convey to the Knicks.

Finishing in the bottom eight would allow the Wizards to keep the pick, sending only second-rounders instead.

“This is what life is like under the lottery system,” the executive told ESPN. “One team trades a player because it’s losing too much with him. Another might not play him because it could win too much.”

At 10-27, Washington has little incentive to push for short-term wins.

The trade was made with the future in mind, even if that means season ticket holders may have to wait until 2026-27 to fully see it pay off.