Wizards PG Trae Young A "Big Fish" Backup Option for Miami Heat

Between updated news on the Washington Wizards' efforts in the 2026 NBA Draft and the injury news of Alex Sarr, it's been a busy day surrounding the organization. Yet things took another twist late Monday night surrounding one of the latest major acquisition pieces in Trae Young.

Jake Fischer of Stein Line reported that the Wizards' new point guard has emerged as a "big fish" backup trade option for the Miami Heat. With Pat Riley and Miami reportedly in pursuit of Kawhi Leonard and Ja Morant, Young's ongoing unresolved situation has made him a potential complementary piece in the Heats' postseason push alongside Bam Adebayo.

It would mark a stark difference from the expectation with Monday's reporting marking the first credible update that pointed to the possibility that Young's stint with the Wizards doesn't make it to the 2026-27 season. Fischer added that there are "a few teams" who have also explored the idea of trading for Young, which would be a path that would have to materialize over the next week given the deadline for Young's near $49 million player option is next Tuesday, June 23.

Whether a potential Trae Young deal would add another layer to the Anthony Davis saga could be its own post-draft storyline after back and forth reports on whether the ten-time All Star wants to play for the Wizards in 2026-27.

The good news? Fischer added that the "prevailing sentiment" is that a contract extension between Young and Washington does materialize as it has been viewed to be a likely possibility with $40 million per year the latest projection. Could that now change? this is also tied to the NBA's new anti-tanking measures set to take effect beginning 2026-27, though with Young now drawing the reported interest that Atlanta failed to capture, the Wizards' could find themselves with a lot less leverage than they envisioned when they acquired him the early days of 2026.

Since he arrived in Washington, Young has embraced being part of the new Wizards foundation while honoring several of the local sports icons like John Wall. He's shown no signs of wanting out, instead embracing being part of the organization that traded for him.

The peculiar part about the latest reporting on the Wizards' new point guard? It comes on the same day that news broke the front office watched former Kansas point guard Darryn Peterson multiple times in both Los Angeles and Washington. Could it be a sign of a possible change coming at the top of the projected draft? Time will tell, but the good thing is the wait won't be much longer with a resolution a matter of days away.

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