Trae Young is still dealing with life after his move to the Washington Wizards, embracing the change while intentionally keeping his focus on the present rather than rushing to decisions about his contractual future.
Young acknowledged that while a player option looms this summer, his priority is immersing himself in his new surroundings, getting to know the city and building chemistry before focusing on long-term questions.
Young explained that for now, his mentality is firmly rooted in the daily experience of his time in Washington.
He spoke positively about the people he has met so far and noted a strong first impression of the front office and staff, many of whom have ties to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Still, he emphasized that he wants a better understanding of the city and a deeper connection with his teammates before he seriously evaluates whether Washington is where he envisions his future.
Looking back on his departure from the Atlanta Hawks, Young admitted he was disappointed an extension never materialized, but he has chosen not to dwell on that chapter.
Instead, he sees parallels between his current situation and the early days of his career, albeit from a very different point of view. At 27, Young considers himself a veteran leader with the experience to accelerate the growth of a young roster.
He described his role in Washington as one focused on mentoring and elevation, believing he can help younger players unlock their potential faster than expected.
Rather than making bold promises, Young said he prefers to let the results speak for themselves, with the goal of quietly exceeding expectations and moving the Wizards’ young core forward one step at a time.
Trae Young wants to experience a new team and City before talking about a new contract https://t.co/l0LXJEMKdW
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 10, 2026
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