The Washington Wizards rebuild isn't close to being complete by any means, but there has been enough flashes, especially as of late to suggests the team could be trending in the right direction.
Washington has assembled a young core full of intriguing prospects and although they have yet to find a certain cornerstone to build around, the Wizards have done a tremendous job landing several talents that could prove to at least be building blocks moving forward.
However, the Wizards interest in the trade market could be positioning the team to making a decision that could derail their rebuild more than it would help them.
Wizards interest in Trae Young could be a brutal mistake
The Wizards have been listed as a legitimate contender to make a blockbuster trade for former All-Star Trae Young as the Atlanta Hawks look to shake up their roster ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Washington has made it crystal clear about their feelings towards their backcourt and with the glaring hole at point guard, the Wizards feel that a move for a playmaking guard could be the answer to their biggest roster weakness.
Nonetheless, a move for the 27-year-old could be the exact trade that sets the team back rather than projecting them forward like they may have hoped.
At 6-foot-2, Young's offensive potential has seemingly been overshadowed by his shortcomings on the defensive end.
Young's often been considered as a defensive liability for the Hawks and that's partially why Atlanta has failed miserably to build a contender around the former top five pick over the last few years.
For a team like Washington, who has seemingly prioritized size and defensive upside with nearly every selection they've made in the NBA Draft over the last few years, making a move for an undersized guard like Young could be the exact deal that goes against the grain of what is being built in D.C.
Whether the Wizards truly believe Young could be the answer or they simply hope to flip his contract down the road is unclear.
Despite that, it feels like a move for a player that has failed to get an Atlanta team over the hump, who's seen much better rosters than the current Wizards over the year, would be a brutal mistake for a team that has seemed to be trending in the right direction.
Young isn't a player that will help the Wizards emerge as a contender.
Instead, he could be a player that causes the team's rebuild to trend in the wrong direction.