Trae Young understands that defense will be one of the biggest challenges for him with the Washington Wizards, but he believes the team’s collection of size and rim protection can help put him in a better position.
“I’m probably going to be the weak link defensively, but I can still give effort,” Young said. “I got a lot of rim protectors and help behind me now.”
Young is entering his first full season in Washington after joining the Wizards from the Atlanta Hawks during the 2025-26 season. He appeared in only five games for Washington after making his debut on March 5, averaging 15.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 20.8 minutes per game.
The eight-year veteran has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier offensive creators throughout his career. Young has averaged 25.1 points and 9.8 assists in 498 regular-season games, including four All-Star selections and an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2021-22.
His offensive production was particularly strong in Atlanta before the move to Washington. Young averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 assists in 76 games during the 2024-25 season, finishing fourth in Clutch Player of the Year voting.
The Wizards are now constructing a roster that gives Young significantly more size and defensive support than he had during much of his Atlanta tenure.
Alex Sarr averaged 2.0 blocks per game in 48 appearances last season while recording 7.4 rebounds per game. Bilal Coulibaly averaged 1.3 steals and 1.0 block in 56 games, while Kyshawn George contributed 0.9 blocks per game.
The biggest addition to Washington’s defensive infrastructure is Anthony Davis. The 33-year-old big man joined the Wizards from Dallas during the 2025-26 season and is expected to anchor the frontcourt alongside Sarr.
Washington also added Deandre Ayton during the offseason, giving the team another former No. 1 pick and starting-level center. The Wizards can therefore surround Young with multiple players capable of protecting the rim and covering ground behind the point guard.
Young averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 assists in 15 total games last season after missing significant time because of injuries. His five games with Washington produced a more efficient shooting line, as he shot 59.5% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range, although the small sample size makes those numbers difficult to evaluate.
The Wizards have since committed to Young for the long term, signing him to a four-year, $212.8 million extension in July. The deal includes a player option in the fourth year and a 7.5% trade kicker.
Washington finished 17-65 last season but has dramatically changed its roster since then. With Young joining Davis, Sarr, AJ Dybantsa and the rest of a young core, the Wizards are entering the season with a very different outlook.
