What's the Plan for Wizards, Trae Young Extension Ahead of Draft?

Trae Young’s possible contract extension has been a storyline to follow this offseason. With a $49 million dollar player option looming, Young has until June 23rd to decide whether or not he opts in. That’s also the same night as the NBA Draft, where the Wizards will pick first overall.

Weeks ago, Jake Fischer reported the expectation this offseason is that Washington and Young agree to a new deal. 

There’s a few ways the Wizards could go about it.Young can opt out to his contract today and sign a new deal. In theory, he could opt in, but that becomes a bit nuanced. Lastly, he can decline his player option and sign a deal after the league moratorium on July 6th.

The figures of his deal could become important. It would be wise for Washington to sign him to a contract that descends in value each year. This gives the team flexibility when players such as Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Bub Carrington, and others are due for new contracts.

The 2024 draft class enters an all-important third season, with them all becoming extension eligible in the next offseason. 

Additionally, Bilal Coulibaly, the first draft pick made by Will Dawkins and Michael Winger, is eligible for a new contract this offseason.

Based on Young’s social media posts, he appears prepared for his first full season as a Wizard. He’d posted workout videos wearing Wizards gear multiple times.

Young told reporters he’s “very confident” the Wizards will be a playoff team next season.

The incoming first overall pick makes this an interesting situation. It seems likely the team either takes AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, with Cameron Boozer perhaps a longshot scenario. Peterson is the only guard of those prospects.

He told the media at the NBA combine he views himself as a point guard. His freshman season numbers were pedestrian in terms of playmaking. His assist percentage was 12.5, he posted a 1.0 assist to turnover ratio, and only averaged 1.6 assists per game.

However, his scoring ability off the ball was immensely strong, giving him a phenomenal view as a long-term shooting guard option. 

It would be very surprising to see Young not net an extension this summer based on reporting and quotes from Winger.

“He’s an absolute genius. He’s a savant with the basketball in his hands,” Winger said on Ryen Russillo’s podcast. “Up until that point, other players on the floor have had to create for themselves and others and we don’t have a pure natural playmaker. We struggle offensively to create because we don’t have someone as naturally gifted as he is at creating something. He’s an offensive engine, we lacked an offensive engine. We have great play finishers, we have great athletes but we didn’t have an offensive engine.”

Winger also added Young was their top looming free agent target prior to the trade, which reveals they had interest in signing him to a new contract beforehand. 

Young’s extension storyline could continue into the post NBA Draft time period for this Wizards.

Wizards Roundtable also offers a fan community. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Wizards. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our free community and follow for all of our coverage, analysis and more!