Miami Heat executives are reportedly considering Washington Wizards point guard Trae Young as a secondary trade target if their pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo falls short. Young joins a list of high-end alternatives that includes Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
Sources tell Jake Fischer that while Young is expected to remain with the Wizards, the 27-year-old is weighing his options. Young must decide by June 23 whether to decline or accept his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season. The decision will heavily influence any potential trade.
Young, a four-time All-Star, averaged 25.7 points and 8.4 assists per game in 64 games last season. His ability to create for teammates and his elite three-point shooting make him a valuable asset for any contending team.
The NBA’s revised lottery odds, which reduce the top three teams' chances of landing the No. 1 pick to 5.4 percent through the 2028-29 season, are pushing teams toward win-now strategies. This shift has increased interest in veteran talent like Young.
Last season, the Atlanta Hawks had difficulty finding a trade partner for Young before ultimately keeping him. Now, with more teams looking to avoid the draft lottery, the market for Young appears more favorable.
Washington is still expected to offer Young a long-term extension worth roughly $40 million annually. However, rising trade interest could change the calculus for both Young and the Wizards.
Miami is not the only team exploring moves. The Heat are also in talks with the Clippers about Leonard and have engaged the Grizzlies regarding Morant. Each of these players offers different strengths, but Young’s playmaking and scoring are seen as a perfect fit for Miami’s current roster.
Young has embraced his role with the Wizards since joining them in a 2022 trade with the Hawks. He has built a strong rapport with the team and its fanbase, making any potential departure more complicated.
The NBA trade deadline is March 2, 2025. That date will be critical for Miami as it works to reshape its roster with playoff aspirations in mind.
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