Trae Young to decline Wizards option and enter NBA free agency

Washington Wizards star point guard Trae Young is set to decline his $49 million player option for the coming season and enter the NBA's summer free-agency market. According to ESPN, sources say Young is seeking a longer contract with a higher total value; the decision will also shape the Wizards' pre-2027 rebuild plans.

Young's current contract includes a $49 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Had he exercised it, he would have entered free agency at season's end at age 27, potentially eligible for a maximum contract. Declining the option opens the door to a longer search — five years and a total value above $250 million.

Young joined the Wizards from the Atlanta Hawks in a major summer 2024 trade. The Hawks received young Alex Sarr and two first-round draft picks in return. With Washington last season, Young averaged 24.1 points, 10.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game and was named an All-Star. The Wizards finished the East at sixth, with 28 wins and 54 losses.

Sources say the teams likely to pursue Young include the Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks. The Brooklyn Nets stand out with the most salary-cap room; the club has about $95 million of cap flexibility. The Spurs are looking for a creative point guard to complement Victor Wembanyama.

According to ESPN's senior reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, Young has begun setting up individual meetings with several clubs through his agency, CAA. The NBA free-agency window opens on June 30; a decision is expected by mid-July. Young said in a statement: "I want to join a team that competes for a championship."

For the Wizards, Young's departure would be a crossroads for the club's future. When Washington brought him in during the summer of 2024, the strategy was to build a play-off-contending team around the star by 2026. Young leaving means abandoning that plan and possibly switching to a rebuild around young players.

Washington general manager Will Dawkins told ESPN: "Our respect for Trae's decision is absolute; the door at the club is always open." Dawkins said the club is weighing trade scenarios it could deploy if the option is declined but that alternative plans are also ready. The Wizards selected Tariq Whitehead third in the 2025 draft.

In the NBA free-agency market, Young will be the marquee name of the summer window. Other notable free agents include James Harden, LeBron James (player option), Devin Booker (extension talks) and Karl-Anthony Towns. Young's age advantage (27) and clean health status mean he is positioned to attract the highest total value.

Young's recent statistical record is strong. Over seven seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, he averaged 25 points and 9.3 assists per game across his career, with one of the highest three-point attempt rates in the NBA. But his defensive limitations and dependence on team structure remain topics his critics regularly raise.

With the NBA salary cap set at $155 million for the 2025-26 season, the annual ceiling on Young's contract could be between $47 million and $50 million. A full five-year maximum could be structured differently depending on whether the player stays put or joins a new team. The NBA world says Young's next step will also shape other major moves in the summer window.