Trae Young grabbed headlines on Wednesday after the Atlanta Hawks traded the four-time All-Star to the Washington Wizards. In return, Atlanta acquired CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, signaling a major shift for both NBA franchises.
While the pre-NBA trade deadline move created plenty of buzz, Young won’t be suiting up for Washington anytime soon.
The 27-year-old guard has been sidelined since Dec. 27 with a right quad contusion and has already missed seven consecutive games. Young was ruled out of the Wizards’ matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
When Will Trae Young Play?
There is still no definite timetable for Young’s Wizards debut. In fact, there are reports suggesting Washington may take an extremely cautious approach with its new star, potentially limiting his availability for the remainder of the season. In addition to the quad issue, Young is also managing an MCL sprain in his right knee.
Given the Wizards’ current situation, that strategy makes sense. Washington sits at 10-27 on the season and is well outside the playoff picture, removing any urgency to rush Young back onto the floor before he is fully healthy.
Washington head coach Brian Keefe echoed that mindset when asked about Young’s status ahead of Friday’s game against New Orleans. According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, Keefe emphasized that the organization’s priority is ensuring Young is fully healthy before discussing a potential return date.
The comments reinforced the idea that Washington is in no hurry. Keefe stopped short of offering specifics, instead leaving the situation open-ended as the team continues to evaluate Young’s recovery.
For now, Young remains officially day-to-day until the Wizards make a formal announcement regarding a longer-term absence. If he were to be cleared sooner than expected, his next opportunity to make his debut would come Sunday against the Phoenix Suns.
Until then, Washington appears focused on patience rather than pushing its newest centerpiece back onto the court.
