One Team Said 'No, Thanks' To a Trade For Trae Young

The Washington Wizards have embraced Trae Young after trading for him at last season's deadline. They've even signed him to a massive four-year, $212.8 million contract extension this summer. 

But despite their desperate need for a point guard at the time, and their strong desire to move off of one of their lead-weight contracts, the Sacramento Kings weren't the least bit interested in trading for Young at the deadline.

REPORT: The Kings rejected a Trae Young for Zach LaVine trade, per @James_HamNBA

“They said no because they knew that the second he got off a plane, he would want an extension and the Kings were not fully prepared to be in the long-term Trae Young business.” pic.twitter.com/FOkY4Sfj5c

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 8, 2026

According to Sacramento insider James Ham, here's the scoop:

The Kings had been offered Trae Young at one point in exchange for Zach LaVine. LaVine to Atlanta and Trae Young to the Sacramento Kings.

They said no because they knew that the second he got off a plane, he would want an extension, and the Kings were not fully prepared to be in the long-term Trae Young business.

Sacramento has been wanting to move on from LaVine for some time now, as his abattoir of a contract continues to weigh down their cap structure. But the $49 million owed this season will be the last of it, as it's an expiring contract. That last part should allow the Kings to be able to move him at the deadline. 

Sacramento, meanwhile, are certainly happy with their decision to pass on Young now, as they were fortunate enough to land Darius Acuff Jr., their point guard of the future, with the No. 7 pick in this year's draft in June. The dynamic lead guard combines elite three-point level scoring with exceptional court vision and playmaking. 

They've also gone out and supplemented him at the point with former three-time All-Star Ben Simmons. The jury is still out on that one, but it's a low-risk gamble at the league minimum.