Trae Young Aims to Silence Critics in Upcoming NBA Season

After a tumultuous season that saw him play only 15 games, Trae Young is determined to re-establish himself as a dominant force in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks traded Young to the Washington Wizards, where he played five games last season. This drastic reduction in playtime has led to a decline in his visibility within the league.

Just two years ago, Young was a celebrated player, making his fourth All-Star appearance during the 2024-25 season with impressive averages of 24.2 points and 11.6 assists per game. Now, as he prepares for his first complete season with the Wizards in 2026-27, he is eager to reclaim his status. “This is the most slept on I’ve been in my whole life,” Young remarked on a recent episode of “The Pivot” podcast. He emphasized the influence of recent performances on public perception, saying, “Imagine the Wizards are the No. 1 team in the East next year. What are people going to be saying?”

Young acknowledged that injuries and the trade had limited his playtime over the past year and a half but expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back: “I’m just entering my prime.” He is optimistic about the upcoming season, especially with the addition of key players like Anthony Davis and the top overall pick from the 2026 NBA Draft.

“I know our team is going to be ready,” Young stated, highlighting the resilience of the young roster that has endured a challenging rebuilding phase. “They went through a lot of losing these last few years and they’re tired of it. … I want to be right there with them when we’re winning.” With a renewed focus and determination, Young is set to prove his critics wrong in the new season.