Trae Young to reportedly sign 4-year, $212 million extension with Wizards

Trae Young liked what he saw from the Washington Wizards in his brief time with the franchise. Young will reportedly sign a four-year, $212 million extension to stick with the team, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

Young, 27, experienced an injury-riddled 2025-26 NBA season. He played in just 10 games with the Atlanta Hawks due to a knee issue. Once Young was able to return, he played in just a handful of games before being shipped to the Wizards.

He made only five starts with the Wizards before missing the rest of the season with back and quad issues.

It was a disappointing first stint, as Young averaged just 15.2 points in his five games. That figure was far below Young’s career average of 25.2 points per game. Injuries undoubtedly played a role in his struggles. Prior to the 2025-26 season, Young has generally remained healthy during his career.

The reported extension comes just days after Young opted out of a $49 million player option to stick with the Wizards. While Young could have left for any other franchise, the Wizards were always considered the frontrunners to retain Young.

Following a miserable season in which the team went just 17-65, things are actually looking up in Washington. The team acquired both Young and Anthony Davis last season, though both players spent their Wizards tenure injured. Davis didn’t play in a single game with his new team following a trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

With both players sitting, the Wizards posted the worst record in the NBA, eventually winning the NBA Draft lottery and securing the top pick in a loaded draft. Whoever the team selects with that pick will join Davis and Young to make a pseudo-big three in Washington. That’s the idea, at least.

Whether that comes to fruition is dependent on a few things working out in Washington’s favor. The team not only needs to hit on the No. 1 overall pick, but needs Davis to stay healthy — something with which he’s struggled in the past — and needs Young to bounce back following a down season.

None of those outcomes is guaranteed, but at least the Wizards have a plan. Though signing Young could prove a risky proposition, it was always part of that plan, putting the Wizards exactly where they want to be with the 2026 NBA Draft quickly approaching.