Trae Young, Washington Wizards Agree to New 4-Year, $212M Contract: Source Trae Young and the Washington Wizards have finalized a four-year, $212.9 million contract, with the final year serving as a player option. The deal, reported by a league source, marks a significant financial commitment for the Wizards, who secured Young’s services despite his recent struggles with the Atlanta Hawks. Young’s first-year salary is estimated at $49.5 million, which represents 30% of the projected 2026-27 salary cap of $165 million. By the 2029-30 season, Young will earn $56.9 million if he exercises his player option. The Wizards’ decision to invest heavily in Young stems from their belief in his ability to elevate the team’s offensive efficiency. Young, a three-time NBA All-Star and one of only 16 players in history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a single season, is expected to anchor Washington’s offense. His presence will allow the team’s young core, including players like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, to develop while shouldering a significant scoring load. Wizards officials emphasized that Young’s ability to create open shots for teammates will be critical to the team’s success. The contract’s structure reflects the Wizards’ strategic approach to managing their salary cap. While the team initially had the latitude to offer Young a five-year deal with 8% annual raises due to his Bird rights, the final agreement features 5% raises, the maximum any non-Bird free agent could have received. This decision saves the Wizards $8.9 million over the four-year span. Officials noted that the team does not anticipate reaching the dreaded first apron (a term for the salary cap limit) until the 2028-29 season, when rookie-scale extensions for Sarr and George would take effect.#washington_wizards #alex_sarr #trae_young #anthony_davis #kyshawn_george
Trae Young to Sign 4-Year, $212M Deal with Washington Wizards Free agent Trae Young is set to sign a four-year, approximately $212 million contract with the Washington Wizards, with a player option in the fourth season, according to sources who spoke to ESPN on Monday. The deal, which will be less than the maximum value for Young with the Wizards but equivalent to the highest amount he could have secured elsewhere, marks his decision to remain with the team after declining his $49 million player option earlier in the week. Young, a four-time NBA All-Star, had previously expressed a strong desire to stay in Washington, a preference he reiterated in January when he sought a trade to the Wizards. The Wizards’ management, including general manager Will Dawkins, has emphasized Young’s role as the linchpin of their young core. The team’s roster includes rising stars such as Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, Bub Carrington, and the potential No. 1 pick in Tuesday’s draft. Young’s arrival is seen as a catalyst to elevate the franchise, which also acquired Anthony Davis last season. The Wizards believe the combination of Young and Davis could form an All-Star duo capable of propelling the team into playoff contention. Young’s path to Washington began with a trade from the Atlanta Hawks in early January. The Hawks, seeking to rebuild, dealt Young for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert after he suffered a sprained right MCL in the fifth game of the 2024-25 season. Young missed the majority of the season, returning in mid-December, and played just five games for the Wizards before the trade. During his brief stint with Washington, he averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 assists across 15 games for both teams. His eight-year career has seen him average 9.#washington_wizards #alex_sarr #trae_young #anthony_davis #will_dawkins
Blazers face a Deni Avdija dilemma the Wizards already avoided The Washington Wizards have publicly defended their decision to trade Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers, insisting the move was not a mistake. Wizards President Michael Winger explained that Avdija’s age made him an unsuitable fit for the team’s rebuilding plan, which prioritizes younger players. At the time of the trade, Avdija was 23, while Washington had recently acquired older stars like Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Though the timing seemed contradictory, Winger argued that Avdija’s established skill set and two-way impact on winning made him a liability in the long term. By moving him, the Wizards aimed to “reset the roster” and create a foundation for future success. The trade allowed Washington to shift focus toward their young core, including the No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr, and position themselves to add players like Tre Johnson. With Avdija gone, the team could lower its floor and build toward a competitive roster, especially after acquiring a top draft pick this summer. However, the Wizards’ approach came at a cost. Avdija has since become an All-Star on a team-friendly contract, raising questions about whether Washington missed an opportunity to secure value for a rising star. Despite this, Winger’s reasoning holds weight: Avdija’s presence may have hindered the team’s chances of securing a high lottery position, making the trade a calculated risk for long-term growth. Portland, on the other hand, now faces the same challenge Washington avoided. The Blazers won the trade, gaining a high-impact player who has already elevated their roster. However, Avdija’s presence complicates their path to contention. With a high floor already established, Portland cannot afford to bottom out as Washington did.#washington_wizards #alex_sarr #portland_trail_blazers #deni_avdija #michael_winger
Final Injury Report for Wizards-Magic: Key Players' Status Ahead of Game The Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic are set to face off in an Eastern Conference matchup on Thursday night, with both teams navigating injury challenges ahead of the contest. The Wizards, who entered the game with a 16-48 record, aim to rebound from a recent loss to the Miami Heat, while the Magic, with a 36-28 record, seek to extend their winning streak after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers. Washington’s center Alex Sarr led the team in Tuesday’s game against the Heat, scoring 28 points and grabbing six rebounds, while guard Will Riley contributed 22 points and four rebounds. The Wizards will look to build on that performance as they travel to Orlando, though several key players remain sidelined due to injuries. Trae Young, who missed the previous game due to injury management, is expected to return against the Magic after being removed from the injury report. However, guard Bub Carrington is listed as questionable due to a right hip flexor soreness, potentially forcing him to miss his first game of the season. If Carrington is unavailable, Tre Johnson and Jaden Hardy may see increased playing time. Other Wizards players ruled out include center Anthony Davis, guard Kyshawn George, and forward Cam Whitmore, all recovering from injuries. Guard D’Angelo Russell remains inactive for the team. On the Magic’s side, forward Franz Wagner and guard Anthony Black are both out for the game. Wagner, sidelined since February 19 due to a left ankle injury, has no expected return date, leaving Tristan da Silva, Jett Howard, and Noah Penda to share more minutes. Black, meanwhile, is missing his third consecutive game after an abdominal strain. The matchup is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.#orlando_magic #washington_wizards #alex_sarr #trae_young #franz_wagner
