Trae Young calls Hawks’ decision to skip extension ‘a blessing in disguise’
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New Washington Wizards guard Trae Young said Atlanta’s refusal to discuss a contract extension left him “sad” but may ultimately work in his favor.
“It didn’t make me mad,” Young told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “It did make me sad. It was more disappointing. You wish it could have worked out and stuff, but that’s life. Maybe that not working out could be the blessing in disguise.”
The 27-year-old was dealt to Washington earlier this week in a package that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Hawks. Atlanta had quietly evaluated Young’s trade market since the offseason, and extension talks never progressed.
Young is earning $45.9 million this season and holds a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27, giving him a path to unrestricted free agency next summer. “My feet are all here right now,” he said. “I obviously have a player option this summer, but I just want to enjoy the city. I want to be around my teammates before an extension or anything like that.”
Despite multiple injuries, Young is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists; Atlanta went 2-8 in the games he played. Over his career he has posted 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game.
Washington hopes Young’s production and name recognition will jolt a rebuild that has stalled since the club’s last playoff appearance in 2021. The Wizards sit near the bottom of the league in attendance.
“I really like the people around here,” Young added. “Front office, teammates, everybody. I just want to figure out the city, figure out the situation, and let everything else come later.”
Source: Hoops Wire
