The Washington Wizards made their stance clear this offseason: Trae Young is the centerpiece, and they’re not blinking at the price tag.
Young signed a four-year extension worth $212.8 million, a move that didn’t exactly light up the NBA conversation. Plenty around the league saw it as an overpay, especially after Young’s reputation took a hit late in his Atlanta Hawks run. The Wizards, though, are betting on the version of Young that can run an offense and tilt a game with his passing.
That belief starts with what Young does best. He’s an elite playmaker, the kind of lead guard who can organize everything around him.
The downside is just as obvious, with his defense still a concern. Washington appears willing to live with that trade-off because the offensive upside is so significant.
General manager Will Dawkins made that thinking plain while discussing the deal on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
"To get a premier point guard in his prime, I think that's what those guys are worth... Guys who average more assists than him is Magic and Stockton. The guy has proven that he impacts winning, and I think we're going to put a roster around him that elevates our young group," Dawkins explained Young's new contract on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
For the Wizards, this isn’t just about paying Young. It’s about building around him. Dawkins and the organization clearly view him as a foundation piece, and they’re moving forward with the idea that he can once again play at a level that puts him among the league’s best point guards.
Health is part of that equation, too. The source of optimism is that Young will finally be healthy, which gives Washington reason to believe he can reassert himself.
The Wizards still have work to do before they can be considered a top team, but they believe they have enough talent to compete with most clubs in the league. For now, their offseason message is simple: Young is the guy, and the franchise is fully committed to seeing where that leads.
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Dybantsa has also had no shortage of veteran eyes on him along the way. During a minicamp in Las Vegas, established players including Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Deandre Ayton, Khris Middleton and Alex Sarr were among those around to help, giving the rookie a chance to absorb ideas from players who understand what it takes to stay on the floor and make an impact. The offense has been there, but the bigger question for Washington is how quickly his defense can become the kind of calling card that changes the tone around the roster. [Read more 🡒]