Trae Young signs four-year $212m deal to remain with Washington Wizards
Four-time NBA All-Star Trae Young has agreed a four-year contract worth approximately $212m (£167m) to remain with the Washington Wizards.
The lucrative agreement includes a player option for the final season, following his decision to decline a previous $49m clause on Monday.
This commitment signals a clear desire from the elite playmaker to anchor a rebuilding franchise in the American capital.
Building a new foundation
Representatives for the player finalised a deal that falls just short of the maximum extension Washington could have offered, but matches the highest figure he could secure on the open market.
The former Atlanta Hawk originally requested a trade exclusively to the Wizards in January and now seeks to elevate an emerging prospect pool.
Washington’s youthful core includes recent draft selections like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, with the franchise also holding the first overall pick in Tuesday’s NBA draft.
Overcoming injury setbacks
Last year proved to be a disjointed campaign for the dynamic point guard, who suffered a sprained right MCL in late October.
That injury sidelined him until mid-December, prompting the Hawks to shift their long-term focus toward rising forward Jalen Johnson.
Consequently, Atlanta traded their former talisman to Washington in early January in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Following the mid-season switch, the elite distributor managed just five appearances for his new employers due to fitness issues, finishing the regular season with averages of 17.9 points and 8.0 assists.
A formidable new partnership
Wizards management acquired the prolific ball-handler to serve as the offensive quarterback for their developmental roster.
They anticipate that pairing him with fellow recent acquisition Anthony Davis will forge a powerful tandem capable of challenging for a playoff berth.
Speaking at the NBA draft lottery in May, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins expressed confidence in his new marquee players.
“The few games that Trae was able to play, you just saw the gravity that he has and he draws and how he’ll be able to free up our guys.”
Dawkins added that both players have significant motivation to prove their doubters wrong.
“Anthony Davis was coming off of being on two teams in two years and Trae Young, the way he left Atlanta – you’re finding guys that want to be in D.C., want to compete together and I think have some chips on their shoulders.”