Trae Young played just five games for the Washington Wizards after being acquired by the team in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks prior to the deadline.
But, that’s all the Wizards needed to see to reward Young with a massive four-year, $212 million contract in free agency.
Wizards’ Signing of Trae Young Named Worst Overpay of Offseason
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 24: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards speaks to the media prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Young is still a productive player, but that’s a whole lot of money, and the deal certainly has the potential to age poorly. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report labeled Young’s contract with Washington as the worst overpay of the entire offseason in the NBA.
“It’s a stunner. And a head-scratcher. When Washington aquired Young in January for the bargain-basement price of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, it felt like the Wizards were being opportunistic and allowing their young core to take a test drive with a clearance star. Six months and five appearances later, that whole discount thing is long gone,” Buckley wrote.
“… He is still really good on offense, but if he isn’t great on that end, then his limitations at the other grow a lot harder to handle. And the Wizards could have major regrets, especially when extension talks start happening with this fully loaded young core.”
Washington’s decision to commit so much money to Young is especially questionable considering the fact that they appear to be in a rebuild and landed AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Young’s enormous contract could prove prohibitive for the Wizards when try to build the team out around Dybantsa.
Trae Young Was Voted Second-Most Overrated Player in NBA by His Peers
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 24: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards gestures to the crowd as a tribute is shown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The view of Young around the league is pretty low at this point. He was recently voted as the second-most overrated player in the entire NBA by his peers. Houston Rockets star center Alpren Sengun was the only player viewed as more overrated by other players. Young was also voted as the league’s most overrated player in the very same poll back in 2023.
Give the fact that he’s being labeled as overpaid and overrated, Young should have no shortage of bulletin board material and motivation heading into his first full season in Washington.
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