Trae Young Sidelined Until After All-Star Break

The Washington Wizards pulled off one of the bigger surprises heading towards February’s trade deadline by acquiring Trae Young from Atlanta for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, but don't expect to see him in a Wizards jersey anytime soon. Young, who is recovering from MCL and quad injuries on the same leg, won't suit up until after the All-Star break. While Wizards fans may want to see Young on the court as soon as possible, being patient might be the smartest move Washington can make for several reasons.

While the Wizards have made improvements to their roster, they are still the Wizards, which means they are not very good. They are not playoff contenders, and with a top-8-protected first-round pick (it will go to the New York Knicks if outside of the top 8), that's exactly where they need to be. With prospects like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer headlining what's shaping up to be a loaded 2026 draft class, a top-three pick could be franchise-changing. Every win right now just hurts their chances in the lottery.

By keeping Young on the sidelines until after the break, or even longer, the Wizards get the best of both worlds. They land their star point guard of the future, who brings elite scoring and playmaking, while protecting their upcoming draft pick. 

Once Young does hit the court, potentially in the final 25-30 games, it will be an audition for the entire roster. Who can actually play with him? Which young guys can capitalize on his playmaking? The answers will shape everything from contract decisions to how they use that lottery pick. Do they grab a wing to complement Young or go another direction? When examining the young pieces the Wizards have, including center Alex Sarr, forward Keyshawn George, and guards Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, and Bilal Coulibaly, all of whom are 22 years old or younger, the addition of Young will help accelerate the rebuilding process.  

This isn't about winning games in February 2026. It's about building a playoff contender for 2027 and beyond. The Wizards' patience with their new star might be the clearest sign yet that they actually have a plan. In a league where tanking teams are rewarded for losing, the Wizards and Young’s patience could be what finally gets them back to relevance.