Trae Young‘s Wizards debut won’t happen anytime soon, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, who reports that the point guard won’t be reevaluated until after the All-Star break as he recovers from right MCL and quad injuries. Based on that timeline, Young will miss at least the next 15 games.
Young sprained his right MCL in late October and missed 22 consecutive games before returning in mid-December. After playing in five of Atlanta’s next six contests, he sustained a right quad contusion that kept him out of action for his final six games as a Hawk.
When the Wizards acquired Young last week, multiple reports indicated that he’d likely see limited playing time during the second half of the season, with Washington focused on hanging onto its top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick and prioritizing the newcomer’s impact in 2026/27 (and potentially beyond).
Still, the NBA figures to keep an eye on the situation, since Young technically already returned from his MCL sprain, and a contusion typically isn’t the type of injury that requires a long-term absence.
While it makes sense that a lottery-bound team (like Washington) would take a more cautious approach with a banged-up player than a team battling for a playoff spot (ie. Atlanta), Young qualifies as a star player based on the NBA’s player participation policy, which prohibits teams from shutting down a healthy “star” for an extended period. So if the league suspects the Wizards are bending those rules, it could instigate an investigation. For now, there has been no indication that will happen.
What a bad trade for the Washington
No man. You’re looking at it wrong. They’re holding him out so they can secure their bottom three position and then he’ll play. Once he plays, he’ll win games for the team and they can’t have that because they’re trying to tink to the bottom, bring a top pick in and then have him next year along with all their nice young pieces. Their future actually looks pretty good
“Once he plays, he’ll win games for the team”
He didn’t do this in Atlanta so why would he in Washington? Hawks were 2-8 with Trae this year and 18-14 without him.
Is Jalen Johnson in the room with us? Is a competent point guard in the room with us?
Trae is still a significant upgrade for them, even if he doesn’t inspire much playoff hope.
That’s the popular narrative, but Trae can make a difference for Wiz that CJ didn’t. And I like CJ in ATL, that’s a good pickup for them. IMO a win-win.
To be honest, Trey is better than CJ. Trey averages over 10 assist a game and can draw double teams I believe his time in Atlanta was just over and that he needed the right team to build around him and once they got the first overall pick they no longer needed to do that and kind of went with a different role and outcome for the team. I believe the place where he’ll help with his passing is Alex Starr and all the rest of his young players, but he’s also going to have to realize that he can’t just s*** whenever he wants and that will be the big question
In order for Trae to really help a team win he has to stay healthy which is something he can no longer do this far into his career
He played in 76 games last year and he’s only 27. I wouldn’t exactly call him injury prone.
The worm really turned on Trae. He’s not perfect by any means and he’ll get isolated on D but with Sarr Coullibaly and some other D they should be fine. Also they ain’t making a title run or anything.
I mean, we’re talking about the Wizards. They’ll be better with Trae. And it isn’t just about rings. The 29 teams that don’t win the title win about 2,400 games every regular season.
Half that, actually. About 1,130 wins each year by the 29 non-champs.
Too many data points suggest that WSH and TY are in agreement that he’ll sit out the season, except maybe some nominal time.
Wizards owe Knicks a #1 pick. Top 8 protected. You know they ain’t giving that up. Probably shut Trae down lols……
Al,
Yes but I think when he comes back after the all star breat he will help with development. He’s the type of player that would win games with a young crew. Just getting them open and giving them space to operate. Especially the big man which is name. It’s slipping by me right now but I think he’s going to be the biggest jump star. Starr with trey.
I agree with you. There’s no way they’re going to play him until the team is well positioned for the top three pick. Should be after all star weekend
I agree have already said it after trade. He is exactly what Wiz need. Trae help their young players. But that pick is too important this year. A top six pick is major. Not losing that.
link to nba.com
Warriors Knicks is a good one tonight!
Yeah finally playing McBride at PG. Only thing I liked lol. Warriors do what they do. We all know 44% 3pt. Knicks not enough D on perimeter. Good win.
Jimmy is my guy.
The Trae trade is more about a salary dump. And investing in their youth. Trae is due an extension. Hawks are playing well without Trae. As much a basketball decision. As a money and cap decision. Just like Mavs didn’t want to pay Luka. Hawks didn’t want to pay Trae. Remember they have the Pels pick and their own. Pels pick probably top 5. They are investing in their future. Krispert is a solid shooter, career 38% 3 pt, 80% FT. CJ can leave or stay. Is good vet mentor.
I agree with your post except for the Luka thing trying to put any rationale on Luka trade is like smashing your head against the wall. They only got 1 pick and AD even if healthy is no comp. It was a dumb trade. I understand getting off a young before he ops out and you could get nothing for him. He kind of held the power because he has a player option next year
Luka was due a max extension much bigger than he got from Lakers. Cause he was their original pick. Same as Trae. Luka would have been due a 5 yr 345 mill. instead cause he was traded it was 3 yrs 165 mill. Traes extension max available for him would have been 4 yrs 229 mill. Instead on Wash he is being offeref 3 yrs 120 mill. Both teams did not want to extend their original pick. Money has played a big part in both. Mostly being an original pick. In one team.
link to google.com
link to google.com
Rather it was money or not. The trades are completely the opposite. Luka could have gotten alot if they shopped him. Instead the got an older all Star and 1 pick for a top 5 NBA player. So there was more to the trade.
I understand getting that little for Trey Young. Have they trade him last season or the year before they would have gotten more?. Because he can opt out. There was no trade market for him because he basically had to pick the team. He wanted to go to and wants his representative said Washington because the agent probably already talked to the GM and said are you going to extend my client and they said yes so that’s why that trade went through. Washington wasn’t willing to give up any pics so that’s why Atlanta got the deal they got.
I don’t want to go back and forth on something that we agree on. I’m not saying whether or whether or not they traded. Luka for money I don’t know what to believe in that situation, but if you want to take their word for it then okay but there’s a difference in surrounding of the trades. They’re not the same at all
I called the salary dump aspect of it the same . Not what player does for team. Both didn’t want to extend them. So looked to move on. Reason for really not taking equal value. Funny how two stars on offense. Yet liabilities on D. Can be moved for different value.
Yes they both have limitations on D but Luka is a far better offensive player. He can score in all 5 scoring position. Driving, shooting, mid range, post up and free throws. He also is a play maker and a rebounder.
Trey on the other had has 3. Shooting, driving and free throws. He is a player maker and not rebounder.
I remember when they compared him to Curry who is able to do all Trey does plus his off the ball movement and mid range makes him a level 7 scorer. Curry is a great rebounding guard and can shoot from anywhere. He added defense in the last 5 years. Won’t Lock you down but you can’t just get bucket after bucket like you can on the other two. I hate when the media compares players because they have one skill of the super star.
Had they moved trey 2 or 1.5 years ago they could have gotten a pick. I think trey is a good player. Can’t be your main star because he has limitations on offense and plays no defense. But he will make Washington better. For ATL not really sure what the team is thinking. You should be evaluating your team year by year. And I just don’t understand what they are doing. They are not good enough to get out the first round and don’t really have that guy. I agree it was time to move on but what are we doing to try to win a chip? I do like the pieces they have but seems like purgatory ( the story of this franchise).
Also what’s up with the kid they selected first overall. Star looks like he could be an all Star. Is this kid going to be an all Star or just a good rotational player
Yeah the media is always about selling. They do have their shooting that makes them similar. Not a Luka cause I don’t see the commitment. Similar to Towns. That fire burns strong on offense. Not so much on D. I mean if I’m a fan. You lose 32 lbs to go to LA. And what are we. That doesn’t work for me. Trae gets a vad rap to me. He’s more a pure PG. He manages gms, is a closer, can score. A guy like Sarr works for him. He needs a good rim protecter behind him.
Young – 25 pts, 10 ast, 3.5 reb, 88% FT, 35% 3pt
Luka – 29 pts, 8.3 ast. 8.5 reb, 75% FT, 35% 3pt
Steph – 25 pts, 6.3 ast, 4.7 reb, 91% FT, 42% 3pt
Steph plays good team D. Trae tries, Luka don’t care