Trae Young Declines $48.97-Million Player Option, Enters Free Agency

Four-time All-Star Trae Young will decline his player option for the 2026-27 season, becoming an unrestricted free agent on Monday. Sources name the Washington Wizards as the front-runner, though several other clubs are projected to submit max-contract offers.

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Most reports list the option at $48.97 million, while a minority cite $49 million, creating a small discrepancy in the contract figure.

Report: Trae Young plans to decline $48.97M player option

In early January, Washington acquired Young from Atlanta for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. A sprained MCL and quad contusion limited him to ten games with the Hawks and five with the Wizards. Washington, 17-65, added veteran Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson.

Bleacher Report

Stakeholders include Trae Young; Wizards president Michael Winger and GM Will Dawkins; the Atlanta Hawks; veteran Anthony Davis; young players Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson; and potential suitors such as the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat.

New York Post

Young averages 25.1 points and 9.8 assists per game over 498 contests. In 2025-26 he posted 17.9 points and 8.0 assists in 15 games (15.2 points, 6.2 assists in five Wizards games). He led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game in 2024-25. Wizards cap projections show $85 million of space and a possible five-year max worth $288 million.

Report: Wizards' Trae Young plans to decline player option, enter free agency

The Wizards view Young as the cornerstone of a rebuild that pairs his playmaking with Davis and the No. 1 draft pick. A long-term deal could shift the franchise toward contention, while his free-agency market could influence league-wide max-contract trends for point guards.

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Winger said the trade used the Wizards’ cap flexibility and called Young “the best free agent on the board.” Dawkins praised Young’s playmaking and noted his desire to stay in Washington. The team publicly ranks Young as its top 2026 free-agent target.

Report: Trae Young plans to decline $48.97M player optionHeavyReport: Wizards' Trae Young to become free agent after declining optionWizards guard Young to be free agent after declining player optionNew York PostReport: Wizards' Trae Young plans to decline player option, enter free agencyBleacher Report

Fans on X expressed shock, with one comment calling the move “crazy” and another questioning who would offer Young a max contract, reflecting a perception that the decision is financially risky.

Trae Young facing backlash after $49 million contract decision

• “It was our opinion that Trae Young was the best free agent on the board … We got into friendly, professional conversations with the Hawks that escalated quickly, and we ended up trading for Trae Young.” — Michael Winger, Wizards president

Report: Trae Young plans to decline $48.97M player option

• “You just see the playmaking, the scoring, the presence that he has for naturally moving and sharing the ball,” — Will Dawkins, Wizards GM

Report: Trae Young plans to decline $48.97M player option

• “It’s not like [Atlanta] just shipped me to Washington.” — Trae Young, player

Report: Trae Young plans to decline $48.97M player option

• “bro opting out of 50 million is crazyyyyyy,” — X user (fan)

Trae Young facing backlash after $49 million contract decision

Free agency begins on June 30. The Wizards are expected to negotiate a multi-year extension with Young while also preparing for the upcoming draft, where they hold the No. 1 overall pick.

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