According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, confirmed by the Washington Wizards, the team’s fanbase will have to wait to see their newly acquired star play until after the NBA’s All-Star break.
Trae Young is still actively recovering from MCL and quad injuries on the same leg and will be re-evaluated in the middle of February.
Washington is reportedly taking their time with Young, showing extreme patience, due to wanting to help their younger players develop and keep tanking for higher draft odds. If Washington’s first-round pick goes inside the top eight selections in the draft lottery, they retain it and the Knicks receive two second-round picks instead. This is due to them owing New York the pick, but putting top-eight protections on said pick.
Given this backstory, and knowing Young is here to serve as their long-term franchise leader, they are in no rush to get the 27-year-old back out onto the court. As a side note, Young has a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Given the injuries he has faced this season, the prime point guard has only been able to play in ten games. In those ten games, Young has averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in 28.0 minutes.
