Trae Young declines $48.97M option, Wizards to re-sign

Star point guard Trae Young plans to decline his $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season and become an unrestricted free agent, according to multiple reports. The decision, which cannot become official until Monday, June 22, opens the door for the four-time All-Star to explore opportunities across the league, though the Washington Wizards are widely viewed as the front-runner to sign him to a new, long-term contract.

Young, 27, was acquired by the Wizards from the Atlanta Hawks in a midseason trade this past season. His first campaign in Washington was severely limited by injuries, as he played only five games for the team after appearing in just 10 for Atlanta earlier in the year. In his last full healthy season in 2024-25, Young led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game while averaging 24.2 points.

By opting out, Young will enter free agency when negotiations begin on June 30. While he expects to draw interest from multiple teams, reports indicate Washington is still seen as the leader to retain him. The Wizards hold his Bird rights, allowing them to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him, and can offer a five-year contract worth up to $287.1 million, significantly more...