Wizards, Trae Young to wait on contract extension discussions

The Wizards aren’t rushing into anything with Trae Young.

Following their trade for the four-time All-Star, the Wizards are not expected to engage in immediate contract extension talks with Young, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. Instead, both sides plan to evaluate his health once he arrives in Washington.

The Wizards acquired Young from the Hawks in a deal that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to Atlanta.

Health is the immediate focus. Young dealt with a right MCL sprain early in the season and has managed residual discomfort since. More recently, he’s been sidelined by a right quad contusion that has kept him out of the past six games.

The move closes a major chapter in Atlanta. Young leaves as the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers (1,295) and assists (4,837), having led the Hawks to three postseason appearances, including a run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021. Onyeka Okongwu is now the lone remaining player from that group.

In 10 games this season, Young averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists while shooting 41.5 percent from the field.

McCollum, meanwhile, has averaged 18.8 points on 45.4 percent shooting. Kispert is at 9.2 points and 39.5% from three in 19 games this season.

Young has approximately $95 million remaining on his contract through 2026-27, with a player option ahead.

By acquiring him, Washington drops roughly $30 million below the luxury tax, opens a roster spot, and positions itself with about $46 million in projected cap room this summer — flexibility that can wait.