What Will Trae Young’s Role Be With The Wizards This Season?
While the original plan was for Young to play on Thursday, his debut may be delayed until at least Sunday in New Orleans or later. Young got ejected in Washington’s 118 home loss to Houston and is subject to a one-game suspension and a $50,000 fine for feigning the Wizards’ bench during tonight’s altercation. The Wizards’ game on Sunday against the Pelicans begins a four-game road trip, and they won’t return home until March 16.
According to Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network, Young walked onto the floor during a spat between Jamir Watkins and Tari Eason, and referee Jacyn Goble called a foul or technical foul against the Rockets.
Eason was also ejected after receiving two techicals, one for shoving Watkins, and Watkins also received a tech.
“I was actually proud of him [Young] because he stuck up for his teammates, and I really care about that type of stuff,” Keefe said following the game.
Washington has no interest in winning games this year. The Wizards are desperate to keep their top-8 protected 2026 first-round draft pick. So, Young will be eased back into playing shape over the Wizards’ remaining 22 contests.
The Wizards fell to 16-44 on the season following their 123-118 loss to Houston tonight. The Wizards, who have lost five straight and 10 of their last 14, own the fourth-worst record in the NBA. They would need to add at least nine more victories to the ledger over the last month-plus of the season to come close to falling out of the bottom eight positions.
Young Expected To Sign Extension This Summer
Expect Young to come off the bench, though it is possible Keefe could start him. Keefe has used 31 different starting lineups this year. He has gone with Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson as his starting backcourt. Both players need to continue to develop. They should continue to start, initially excited because we know what he’s capable of,” Bilal Coulibaly said about playing with Young. “He’s going to make everything easier for us, so we really can’t wait for him to get out there.”
Since the Wizards’ for Young and Anthony Davis were never for this season, the upcoming offseason is their top priority. The Wizards have 13 players under contract for 2026-27 with salaries totaling $172.4 million. There is some flexibility with Young ($48.9 million) and D’Angelo Russell ($5.9 million) owning player options. Justin Champaignie‘s ($2.6 million) contract is nonguaranteed.
Speaking of Young, he is expected to sign a contract extension this summer. NBA Insider Marc Stein said yesterday that Young and the Wizards are slated to agree to a three-year extension worth around $120 million.
