Washington Wizards star point guard Trae Young is declining his $48.97 million player option for the upcoming NBA season. The move officially makes the four-time All-Star an unrestricted free agent ahead of the June 23 deadline. Despite testing the open market, Washington remains the clear front-runner to retain him.
Early projections point toward a three-year, $120 million contract to keep him in the nation’s capital. Young is planning to decline the money, according to a detailed Bleacher Report article on his option decision, though both sides are motivated to reach a new agreement.
Young arrived in Washington earlier this year following a blockbuster trade with the Atlanta Hawks. The deal sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert the other way. Instead of rushing him onto a lottery-bound roster, the front office opted to keep him sidelined to fully rehab an ankle injury. This patient approach aligned perfectly with the Wizards’ strategic rebuild timeline and their long-term commitment to re-signing him.
The organization views Young as a foundational piece to pair with their young core of Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Tre Johnson. This strategy mirrors the Brandon Ingram playbook used by the Toronto Raptors last season. Toronto traded for a highly paid star, sat them during a tanking season, and secured their Bird rights to extend them in the offseason.
The Miami Heat are also actively monitoring the situation. Sources indicate Miami views Young as a premium backup target if they are outbid in the trade sweepstakes for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Young is eligible to sign a three-year extension worth nearly $160 million until June 30, but a $120 million deal gives Washington more flexibility moving forward.