Trae Young Debut With Wizards This Week Amid Trade Move

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Trae Young is set to appear in a Washington Wizards jersey for the first time this week, with the star guard targeting a debut on Thursday, 5 March, against the Utah Jazz, following a high-profile trade from the Atlanta Hawks earlier in the season.

Young hinted at the planned debut by posting a picture in Wizards gear on social media, ending the caption with "3/5". That message came after Washington acquired Young on 9 January, in a major move for a roster currently focused on rebuilding.

The timing of Young’s first game could still change. Young was ejected from a 123-118 defeat to the Houston Rockets on Monday after leaving the bench area, behaviour the NBA often views as escalating on-court disputes, which raises the risk of league discipline before Thursday.

Washington coach Brian Keefe said on Monday that Young was moving towards a return and would likely have restricted minutes against the Jazz. Young has featured in only 10 games this season because of right knee problems and a right quadriceps issue that have limited availability and rhythm.

Despite the stop-start year, Young is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists, while earning a fourth All-Star selection. Washington also traded for Anthony Davis before the deadline, but Davis has yet to appear for the team due to a hand injury.

The Wizards, 16-44, have been linked with the top of June’s draft lottery, which led some analysts to question whether Young or Davis would play much more this season. General manager Will Dawkins has maintained that Washington plans to see both veterans share the court before the campaign ends.