Washington Wizards, Trae Young Situation Will Resolve Itself Soon

After recent reports saying that Trae Young will opt out of his current contract, Young has officially positioned himself to enter free agency, but before we officially smash the panic button, we must remember that this was the plan all along. Trae Young wants to secure the long term contract, the Wizards want to secure the long services of Trae, this marriage will resolve itself real soon. On top of that, more reports have continued to creep out and point towards a long term reunion between the four-time All-Star and the Wizards.

According to Marc Spears, Young loves being in Washington and the Wizards remain the "frontrunner" to retain him. That report aligns with Jake Fischer's recent update that "the expectation remains that Young will find a new, longer-term agreement with the Wizards." While Young will become an unrestricted free agent on Monday, the momentum continues to point toward both sides reaching a deal.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst added even more fuel to that belief this week on Get Up, stating that Young was always expected to decline his player option and negotiate a new contract with Washington, which is true. It has been reported multiple times since Wizards acquired Trae Young on January 9, 2026 that the expectation is for Young to return on a lucrative three-year deal, a contract that has been widely projected to land around three years and $120 million.

While he only appeared in five games following the trade, he made an immediate impact, averaging 15.2 points and 6.2 assists while shooting an incredible 59.5% from the field. More importantly, he quickly established himself as one of the franchise's central figures moving forward. 

The Wizards commitment to Young is hardly a secret. Wizards president Michael Winger revealed during an appearance on The Ryen Russillo Show that Washington's front office viewed Young as the top free agent in the 2026 class. Heck, the Wizards even promote Trae Young on every marketing campaign for the upcoming season, including putting him in the new cherry blossom uniforms that are being unveiled next year. The Wizards are well aware that Trae Young has already become a fan and locker room favorite as most of the young Wizards players cited Trae Young as having played a pivotal role in the second half of the season development. 

Of course, there is another storyline looming over Washington's future, Darryn Peterson.

Rumors continue to connect the Wizards to Peterson, one of the most highly regarded guard prospects in recent memory. Some fans may wonder whether a potential Peterson-Washington partnership could make a massive investment in Young less appealing.

In reality, Peterson's arrival would make Young even more valuable.

The NBA's most successful rebuilds often pair elite young prospects with established stars. Young's leadership, experience, shot creation, and playmaking would create the ideal environment for Peterson to develop. Rather than asking a teenager to carry a franchise from day one, Washington could allow Peterson to grow alongside an established All-Star who understands the pressures of leading a team. Peterson, who played off ball at Kansas at an impressive level, would most likely play the same role in Washington alongside Trae Young as he develops his playmaking ability. He also would help cover Trae’s defensive weaknesses and Peterson projects to be a strong two way player. But all of that should be tossed to the side when analyzing who they should take at number 1. The Wizards are in no position to draft for fit here. You do not lose 65 games to draft for “fit”. You take the best player on your board, no matter the fit or position, and you move forward. Simple, isn’t it?

A three-year contract around $120 million could provide both sides with flexibility while keeping the Wizards competitive during a critical stage of their rebuild. Heck, make it a descending deal, which is something Will Dawkins has done multiple times before with Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert. 

Whether Darryn Peterson eventually arrives in Washington or not, Trae Young remains the engine of the franchise's foreseeable future. Re-signing him would not only secure one of the league's most talented guards, but it would also provide the stability and leadership necessary to help the Wizards take the next step toward contention. Put ink to paper already!

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