Trae Young hasn’t logged a minute yet in a Washington Wizards uniform, but he’s already making his presence felt - not just in the locker room, but online too. As he continues to rehab a quad injury that’s expected to sideline him through the All-Star break, Young has stayed connected with his new team, and he’s not hiding how impressed he is with the Wizards’ rising young talent.
And right now, there’s one name that’s turning heads in D.C.: Kyshawn George.
In just his second NBA season, George is stepping into a much larger role - and he’s not just surviving, he’s showing serious signs of thriving. The 6-foot-8 wing is being asked to handle more of the offense, both as a scorer and a playmaker, and while there have been natural growing pains, Saturday night was a glimpse of what the future might look like if everything clicks.
George dropped 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting in a 121-115 loss to the defending champion Denver Nuggets. It wasn’t just the stat line - it was how he got there.
Confident drives, smooth jumpers, and a growing command of the floor. The kind of performance that makes you pause and think: this kid might be for real.
Trae Young certainly thought so.
“Young bull is really like that…🔥” the four-time All-Star posted on X (formerly Twitter) after George’s big night.
Coming from a player like Young - one of the league’s premier offensive engines and a perennial 20-and-10 threat - that’s not just a compliment. That’s a stamp of approval.
The Wizards landed Young in a deal that cost them CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert - solid players, no doubt, but not the kind of centerpiece Young can be when healthy. His arrival gives Washington a legitimate offensive star, a floor general who can elevate the group around him. And while his defensive limitations are well-known, the Wizards might just have the right mix of young defenders to help balance the scales.
George is developing into a legit two-way threat. Alex Sarr brings length, rim protection, and mobility.
Bilal Coulibaly already has a reputation as a defensive stopper. Even rookies like Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington are showing they can bring energy and effort on that end of the court.
In the short term, Young’s absence means more opportunity for the Wizards’ young core to grow through real reps - and yes, it also increases the odds of landing another high pick in this year’s draft. But long-term? This is a team quietly building something.
Trae Young hasn’t taken the court yet, but he’s watching. And if Kyshawn George keeps stacking performances like Saturday night, he won’t just be earning tweets - he’ll be earning respect across the league.