Washington Wizards point guard Trae Young plans to decline his $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season and become an unrestricted free agent, Hoops Rumors reported, citing Marc J. Spears of ESPN.
The decision has not been framed as a split from Washington. Hoops Rumors reported that re-signing with the Wizards on a multiyear deal remains a strong possibility, with Young said to be impressed by the organization since Washington acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks in midseason.
Trae Young Free Agency Decision Alters Wizards Market
There has been speculation that Young and the Wizards could discuss a new three-year contract in the neighborhood of $120 million, according to the source. Young also expects multiple teams to pursue him once he reaches the market.
The option decision matters because it changes the cleanest trade path. Hoops Rumors noted that declining the option would essentially take Young off the trade market after The Stein Line's Jake Fischer reported over the weekend that multiple teams had interest in acquiring the four-time All-Star point guard. An opt-in would have made him an expiring contract and a simpler trade piece for Washington.
Washington Can Offer The Largest Deal
Young's projected maximum salary is worth $212.9 million over four years from another team or $287.1 million over five years from the Wizards, according to Hoops Rumors. The same report cautioned that an offer at that level would be surprising after what amounted to a lost season.
Young was limited to a combined 15 games with Atlanta and Washington this season. That makes his next deal less straightforward than a normal star guard negotiation, but the basic stakes are clear: declining the option pushes the Wizards from trade-decision mode into a free-agency negotiation where they can still offer the longest and largest contract.