Washington Wizards' Trae Young Contract Ranks Second-Worst in NBA
The Washington Wizards' signing of Trae Young has been labeled as one of the worst contracts in the NBA. According to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, Young's four-year, $212 million deal ranks second-worst in the league, behind only Joel Embiid's contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Young played just five total games for the Wizards after being traded to Washington prior to the deadline. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in those five appearances. The Wizards' decision to sign Young has been questioned by experts, who point out that he can still be the driver of an entire offense but has a shaky ceiling.
What Happened?
The Washington Wizards acquired Trae Young in January for the bargain-basement price of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. However, six months and five appearances later, the Wizards' discount on Young is long gone. Young is still really good on offense, but his limitations on defense grow harder to handle.
Why It Matters for Washington Wizards
The Wizards' signing of Young has major implications for the team's future. With a fully loaded young core, the Wizards could have major regrets when extension talks start happening. Young's limitations on defense and his shaky ceiling make his contract a potential liability for the team.
What Comes Next?
The Wizards' decision to sign Young has been met with criticism from experts. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report recently labeled it as the worst overpay of the entire offseason in the NBA. Young's contract has the chance to vie for top-three positioning until it's an expiring deal.
Last result: Cleveland Cavaliers 130-117 Washington Wizards (2026-04-12). The Wizards have lost their last five games, with a recent form of 0W-0D-5L (LLLLL, most recent first).
