Wizards Keep Trae Young Out Until After All-Star Break; Hawks Seek Size; Celtics Weigh Cap Flexibility Against Trade Push
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WASHINGTON — Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said the club plans to hold Trae Young out until the All-Star break while maintaining an open dialogue about the guard’s future in Washington.
Wizards
In an interview with EssentiallySports, Dawkins explained that the organization wants to see how Young meshes with the franchise’s developing core of Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly before the season ends. Although the former All-Star has appeared in only 10 games because of injuries, the team is not shutting him down for the year.
Young owns a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27. Limited availability so far has many league observers expecting him to opt in, but Dawkins noted that a productive stretch run could broaden Young’s choices, including an extension or opting out. Washington has kept regular contact with Young’s representatives to prepare for those discussions.
Hawks
With Young in Washington, Atlanta’s priority has shifted to stabilizing its frontcourt, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported. The Hawks have struggled on the glass and in paint defense, issues magnified when Kristaps Porzingis sits because of injuries and illness.
Porzingis’ $30.7 million expiring contract gives Atlanta room to absorb salary through 2026-27. Marks listed Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis as a theoretical target, though matching salaries would require additional contracts to remain under the luxury-tax threshold. Recently acquired Corey Kispert cannot be aggregated in a trade yet, but Luke Kennard’s $11 million expiring deal is available to help balance any larger transaction.
Celtics
Boston’s decision to avoid a rebuild despite Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury and the departures of Jrue Holiday and Porzingis has paid off. The Celtics have climbed to second place in the Eastern Conference while preserving future flexibility, according to Marks.
The club shed more than $300 million in salary last offseason and still carries options to trim further. Anfernee Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract is the most immediate lever and could be moved at the deadline. The guard is averaging 13.6 points off the bench and shooting above 40 percent from three.
Boston remains above the first luxury-tax apron, limiting certain cap mechanisms, but still holds three trade exceptions generated after July 1. Team president Brad Stevens can either prioritize additional savings or treat the deadline as a chance to bolster the roster ahead of Tatum’s eventual return.
The trade window closes on Feb. 8, leaving each club a narrow path to address roster questions and long-term payroll.
Source: Hoops Wire
