Trae Young Scores 4-Year, $212M Extension With  Washington Wizards – Is He Worth It?

Trae Young has signed a four-year, $212 million extension to stick with the Washington Wizards.

Last week, Young declined his $58 million player option for the 2026-27 season, making the All-Star point guard an unrestricted free agent. Young immediately became one of the most intriguing names on the market.

Washington was the favorite to retain their star point guard on a long-term contract.

With the Wizards holding the No. 1 overall pick, Young’s decision was largely viewed as a financial move. By declining the final year of his deal, he could renegotiate a multimillion-dollar contract that provides long-term security. Young and his agent were widely seen as making a smart business move.

The move comes after a strange season for Young. He spent the first half of the year with the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the Washington Wizards in January as part of the team’s accelerated rebuild. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from making a significant impact, and Young appeared in just five games for Washington due to lingering knee, back and quad issues.

The Wizards also acquired Anthony Davis, adding a proven veteran to a promising young core. The No. 1 pick in the draft is still undecided, with AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson among the top candidates. Other teams, like the Miami Heat, showed interest in Young.