The Washington Wizards will get a big piece on the floor with Trae Young set to make his debut with the team
The wait is officially over with news that Trae Young is set to make his Wizards debut this week.
Shams Charania first reported the news that Young will make his debut with the Washington Wizards on Thursday night when they take on the Utah Jazz at home.
Washington announced in mid-March that Young was set to "ramp up his on-court activities" with the team adding an additional update would be provided on his status in another week.
The news comes hours after a report that the team is expected to reach a three year contract extension with Young this upcoming summer as he prepares to enter the final year of his five year contract.
But the debut of Young marks an encouraging sign for Washington after general manager Will Dawkins repeatedly expressed confidence that both Young and Anthony Davis, who also arrived with the organization ahed of the tree deadline, expected to play this season.
"That's the goal. We want to see our guys together so we can build camaraderie and build some continuity towards the end of the season," Dawkins added.
Washington initially acquired Young in exchange for both Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum to add a potential playmaker to a backcourt that already features Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson while upgrading a position of need.
This will also mark Young's first game available since Dec. 27 against the New York Knicks when he posted nine points in 31 minutes in a 128-125 loss at home. Young averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in only 28 minutes across ten appearances for the Hawks this season, setting a new career-low for minutes played after battling the injuries that would lead to a patient approach from the Wizards front office.
With Young set to return, all eyes will turn to whether the former Hawks star will step into the starting rotation to potentially take Bub Carrington's role or if he comes off the bench, but the chance to watch how the four-time All Star fits alongside the young roster adds a jolt of late season optimism to a fanbase amid a long season filled with losses and 2026 NBA Draft speculation.
As for when Davis will make his return, that's far less certain with the team remaining patient with his recovery process.
"That's a big appointment for us to kind of see where his progress is at. And after that, after the All Star break, he'll return to DC and be here with the team," Dawkins said after meeting with local media after the team announced the trade.