The Washington Wizards believe they already have the pieces to protect newly acquired guard Trae Young on the defensive end, team sources told The Athletic.
Defensive help on hand
Club officials point to rookie center Alex Sarr—viewed as a bona-fide rim protector—and second-year wing Bilal Coulibaly as the primary options to mask Young’s well-known defensive shortcomings. The front office also expects Young’s playmaking to lift the offense for a young core that includes Sarr and rookie scorer Tre Johnson, whose perimeter looks should become cleaner because of Young’s on-ball gravity.
While Kyshawn George, Coulibaly and fellow rookie Bub Carrington have all handled the ball this season, Washington views George and Coulibaly as forwards rather than primary initiators. Some within the organization also believe Carrington is better suited to an off-ball role, a factor that pushed the team to land a true point guard.
Contract options still open
The Wizards remain uncertain which route Young will choose with his contract. Rival executives have assumed the four-time All-Star will pick up his $49 million player option for 2026-27, but sources told The Athletic no decision has been made. Young is reportedly open to extension talks with Washington or to declining the option and entering free agency this summer.
If Young tests the market, the Wizards intend to make a full push to re-sign him. Should he opt in, the club would revisit its choices, including a possible extension, another trade or letting him finish the final season of his current deal. The team’s evaluation will hinge on how well Young fits with George, Carrington and Johnson and whether his style accelerates their development.
Slow return from injuries
Young has appeared in only 10 games this season, missing time with multiple injuries, most recently a quad issue. With a top-eight-protected first-round pick in 2026, Washington has little incentive to rush him back and could limit his minutes for the rest of the campaign, focusing instead on 2026-27 and beyond.
Why Corey Kispert was moved
Although guard Corey Kispert was respected internally for his professionalism, Washington’s depth on the wing made him expendable. That surplus, sources said, positioned Kispert as the logical outgoing piece in the trade aimed at reshaping the roster around a true lead guard.
Source: Hoops Wire
