The Washington Wizards reported interest on the trade market has linked them to nearly every big name that has been rumored to be available.
Between Washington's motivation to offload the expiring contracts of CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, mixed with the teams willingness to take on unwanted contracts from other teams, the Wizards have been rumored to be a team worth monitoring in nearly any deal that they could help facilitate.
However, the urgency to find a point guard solution in the DMV has put the Wizards in position to make a blockbuster trade for an immediate benefit rather than a long-term goal.
Wizards deemed as contenders for Trae Young
Over the last few weeks, Trae Young's name has been continuously mentioned as a name to watch as the NBA trade deadline looms.
The Hawks have made it clear that the All-Star guard's time in Atlanta has run its course and with the team looking to build around emerging star Jalen Johnson, Young has seemed to be the odd man out.
On Monday, reports surfaced from ESPN's Shams Charania that Young's team and the Hawks were working together to find a trade for the playmaker.
Just in: Atlanta Hawks All-Star Trae Young and his agents, Aaron Mintz, Drew Morrison and Austin Brown, are working with the franchise on a trade, sources tell ESPN. Young's reps and the Hawks have started collaborative talks over the last week on finding a resolution. pic.twitter.com/dUCNnDKqTt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 5, 2026
Shortly after Charania's report, NBA Insider Marc Stein quickly linked the Wizards as a legitimate contender in the sweepstakes for Young with a package surrounding the expiring contract of McCollum as the center point of any deal.
Averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists on 41.5% shooting from the field, the 27-year-old is in the midst of a down year, which could be contributed to the behind the scenes frustrations from both sides or the fact that he's dealt with some nagging injuries to start the year.
Whether Washington is motivated to get a deal done to eventually flip Young again down the road or they believe he could be the answer in the backcourt to pair alongside young players like Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and even Tre Johnson is unknown.
Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that Travis Schlenk, who is currently serving as the Wizards' senior vice president was the general manager in Atlanta when the team drafted Trae Young No. 5 overall in 2018.
Reports have also surfaced that Washington is looking to receive draft compensation in addition to Young, which suggests the guard's value is truly at an all-time low.
Obviously, situations around the league are fluid and another team could outbid the Wizards, but at the moment, it seems as if Young in D.C. has real traction.