Once the deal that sends Trae Young to the Washington Wizards becomes official, talks about a contract extension are expected to take a back seat instead of taking center stage.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, both parties are comfortable letting time do some of the work before committing to anything longer-term.
The rationale, as laid out in the report, is that Young and the Wizards want room to see how things feel on and off the court.
“This is not something either party feels pressure to rush into,” was how the situation was described, with an emphasis on understanding the chemistry, role and direction before looking to the years ahead.
That evaluation period could easily extend into the 2026-27 season, especially since Young holds a $49 million player option for that year. If he prefers security over freedom of choice, that option gives him a built-in safety net.
If an extension were to happen sooner rather than later, Young would have to forego that option and replace it with a new contract starting in 2026/2027.
Under league rules, such a deal could provide three additional seasons beyond the current one. “It is a path that exists, but it requires a clear sense of trust on both sides,” the situation was characterized.
If Young instead exercises his option in June, a new door will open. By doing so, he would still be eligible to negotiate an extension during the next offseason, this time starting in 2027-28 and potentially adding as many as four new years to his stay.
In short, the Wizards and Young have multiple timelines available, and for now, patience seems to be the shared approach.
Trae Young Trade Notes: Possible Extension, Trading Bonus, TPE, More https://t.co/45g59CvQIs pic.twitter.com/RfFWZ7giVh
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 8, 2026
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