The Washington Wizards have lost four straight games, and Trae Young is quickly becoming a problem. He is averaging 18.5 points, 8.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 35.5 minutes per game. Those are strong counting stats, but Young is shooting just 39.3 percent from the field and 28.8 percent on his 3-point tries. His 46.6 effective field goal percentage is a problem, especially for a player who struggles on defense.
Credit to Young. He has called out his defensive weakness and worked to improve. The Wizards are actually 3.8 points per 100 possessions better on defense with the four-time All-Star on the floor. He is competing hard and creating turnovers. Young has clearly improved. It is his offensive game that is crushing the Wizards.
It is not just the poor shooting. Young is in the top 20 in turnovers per game, and teams are daring Young to beat them. Washington has an abysmal 106.5 offensive rating with Ice Trae on the floor. They have a negative-6.0 net rating when he plays and are 4.4 points per 100 possessions better without him. The Wizards can't contend while putting up numbers like that.
Trae Young's offensive struggles are hurting the Wizards
Washington ranks 23rd in offensive rating for the season, and their mark with Young on the floor would be tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for 26th. Both numbers are well below where a contender expects to be. Being in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive ratings is a barometer for a title contender. Being in the bottom ten on either end of the floor is tough to overcome.
Young is supposed to be a walking elite offense. He is always near the top of the NBA in assists per game and has a reputation for being an elite scorer. He averaged 24 or more points per game for six straight years. The Wizards haven't seen that version of Young.
His struggles to make shots have hurt his playmaking. His 8.7 assists per game are elite, but they are the third-lowest mark of his career. Young simply isn't playing with confidence or driving an elite offense.
Washington traded for Young with the belief that he could lead them back into the playoff mix. That hasn't happened. He landed a massive $212.8 million contract extension after the Wizards traded for him. Now, they are stuck with Young and need him to figure things out.
Wizards' Trae Young extension is already looking like a mistake
The Hawks were always better offensively with Young on the floor. They struggled on the defensive end thanks to the four-time All-Star's limitations. Even in Atlanta, the team missed the playoffs in his last two full seasons with the franchise. Young led them to the conference finals in 2021, but hasn't won a playoff series since.
The Wizards bet big on the point guard. He is making $49.4 million this season, and his salary grows every year through 2030. Washington clearly believed Young was their point guard of the present and future. They wanted a playmaker to get their young talent easier looks. Someone capable of running the show and driving an elite offense.
Young isn't doing that. He is focusing too much on getting his. He needs to become an elite offensive engine. The focus must shift from scoring to creating. Washington has Anthony Davis and AJ Dybantsa. Let those two be the scorers as Young sets the table for everyone.
The Wizards paid Young like a superstar. They can't have him shooting under 40 percent from the field and leading the 23rd-best offense in the NBA. The Wizards have been outscored by 49 points in Young's 389 minutes to start this season. That is not a recipe for building a contender.
Wizards need Trae Young to be better to contend
Washington needs Trae Young to do what the Hawks have asked him to do for years. Young must accept a lesser offensive role where he becomes an off-ball threat. He is used to dominating the possession and trying to do everything. Less is more. The Wizards have Dybantsa and Davis to be elite scorers. They don't need Young for that.
Moving off the ball should get Young some easier catch-and-shoot looks. That should improve his percentages and upgrade the offense. Dybantsa may also find a better rhythm if he gets to run the show a bit. This could be a win-win if Young embraces becoming an off-ball threat to help his team.
Trae Young can't shoot under 40 percent from the field if the Washington Wizards want to make the playoffs. He needs to be better and more efficient. He has been a below-average 3-point shooter in three of the last four years. Efficiency has never been Young's strong suit, but the Wizards need him to improve. It is the difference between contending and not.
Ice Trae can't just take whatever shots he pleases. This is a talented young team, but they need a leader. Anthony Davis can score 25 a night, but he needs Young to help him get easier looks. AJ Dybantsa would benefit from Young freeing him up. The Wizards need Young creating for others and not looking to get his. It is time to change for the better and help Washington snap their five-year playoff drought.
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