'Opportunity to be myself': Trae Young savors fresh start with Wiz - ESPN

WASHINGTON — Trae Young's tan outfit nearly matched the color of Washington's uniforms. And although he couldn't take the court and help his new team, Wizards fans showed their appreciation.

Young was introduced to the home crowd with a video during the first quarter of Friday night's game against New Orleans. Earlier in the day, the trade that sent the high-scoring guard from Atlanta to Washington became official, and now Young can look forward to a fresh start after leaving the Hawks.

«For me, DC is overlooked as far as a big market,» Young said. «In the NBA, I feel like this is a big market, and I just feel like I'm going to be able to come into an opportunity to be myself.»

The first big question is when Young will play again. He missed Friday night's game with knee and quadriceps issues and hasn't appeared in a game since Dec. 27.

Big market or not, the Wizards lost 64 games last season and 67 in 2023-24. They were 3-20 around mid-December but had won seven of their last 13 entering Friday night's game. Washington has plenty of young players, and the development of second-year big man Alex Sarr has been encouraging, but the Wizards could use a true point guard to play alongside the likes of Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson and Kyshawn George, all of whom are between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-8 and under 23 years old.

Enter the 27-year-old Young, who for his career has averaged 25.2 points per game and 9.8 assists. After the Wizards spent two seasons bottoming out, his arrival gives Washington fans a star they can pin their hopes on. General manager Will Dawkins suggested the move won't alter the patience the team has shown with its less experienced players.

«As an organization, we have a long-term plan, and