WASHINGTON — Trae Young is looking forward to writing a new narrative for himself — and for his new team, the Washington Wizards.
On early Friday evening, at his first news conference since the Atlanta Hawks traded him to Washington, Young said he intends to elevate the Wizards’ young players and help turn the Wizards’ franchise into a winner.
“I just want to bring the best out of these young guys, as far as on the court,” Young told reporters.
“When … I’m able to be right and get on the court, (I want to) show that I can bring the best out of this team and these young guys that I’m around, and hopefully make an All-Star or two out of some of these other guys. That’s my goal for this.”
💭 Why The District?@TheTraeYoung: “Being able to have an impact on my teammates and the people around me.”
Tune in 📺: https://t.co/hSjpHoFNg9 pic.twitter.com/WKCpZvAsEc
— Monumental Sports Network (@MonSportsNet) January 9, 2026
On Wednesday, the Hawks agreed to trade the four-time All-Star point guard to the Wizards for combo guard CJ McCollum and wing Corey Kispert.
It’s unclear when Young, 27, will play again. Citing the sprained right MCL and right quadriceps contusion Young suffered earlier this season, the Wizards are holding him out of Friday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Young has played in just 10 games this season and has not suited up since Dec. 27.
“We’re learning more about his injury status,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins told The Athletic when asked whether he expects Young to play for the Wizards this season.
“We’ll know more this weekend as he gets through it. Our hope is to see him with our guys so he can make a decision (about his player option) going into next summer as well. When that will be, I don’t know, but we won’t rush him. We want him to be 100 percent healthy before he goes out there.”
Young has a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season. The Wizards, who entered the night with the league’s fourth worst record at 10-26, will keep their first-round pick if it falls in the top eight of the draft order.
This story will be updated.