Trae Young Debuts March 5
Trae Young is set to make his long-awaited debut for the Washington Wizards on March 5 against the Utah Jazz. The debut was briefly delayed due to an ejection in a prior game, but the Wizards hope Young's playmaking can spark a turnaround for their struggling squad.
The Wizards acquired four-time All-Star Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks on January 9, 2026, in a trade that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to Atlanta. Young's arrival is a key part of Washington's rebuilding strategy, and he was reportedly keen on the move to D.C. Washington is looking for a spark, currently holding a record of 16-43, placing them 13th in the Eastern Conference. Their opponents for Young's debut, the Utah Jazz, are also struggling with an 18-42 record, sitting 14th in the Western Conference. Before the trade, Young had spent his entire eight-year career with the Hawks, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in assists and three-pointers. In his last full season, he led the NBA with a career-high 11.6 assists per game while also averaging 24.2 points. The debut was delayed for nearly two months as Young recovered from knee and quad injuries. In 10 games this season before the injuries, his averages were 19.3 points and 8.9 assists. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season worth about $49 million.
