Trae Young is declining his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, setting up a move to unrestricted free agency at the end of June. The Washington Wizards, who acquired him at the trade deadline, remain the frontrunner to re-sign the guard.
Young was traded to Washington in January for Corey Kispert and the expiring contract of CJ McCollum. Reports as of June 8 indicated he was expected to stay with the Wizards on a three-year, $120 million extension.
By opting out, Young opens the door to explore offers from other teams. The Miami Heat have shown interest as a possible fallback if they miss out on Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls are also viewed as potential suitors with cap space.
Washington holds the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, which could influence contract talks. Young played just five games for the Wizards after the trade, averaging under 21 minutes per game.
