Exclusive: Trae Young Is the Star the Wizards Can Finally Build Around, says Rashad McCants

A lot of people may be wondering why Trae Young desired a move to the Washington Wizards while he was being shopped in trade talks by the Atlanta Hawks. But Rashad McCants can see why it's a good fit.

McCants, who currently hosts Gil's Arena with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, said Young is a star that you can build around and can put people in the seats. 

That is something that the Wizards have been lacking as of late, registering the third-lowest NBA attendance this season and having not made the playoffs since 2021. They also have the second-worst record at 10-28.

Trae Young Can Generate Interest As Wizards' Franchise Piece

"A lot of people say defensively a lot is lacking," said McCants told SportsBoom.us. 

"There's always been a lot lacking there. It's not a new thing. We can't use that as some type of metric of why his trade value should be up or down. He's a small guard that doesn't really play defense, but he passes very well and he shoots like Steph Curry. Depending on what type of team you are, what type of style of play you want to build around, he might be the perfect player (for the) Washington Wizards." 

"They don't have a future," McCants continued to say. 

"They don't have a future with any asset that you can see as tangible move forward franchise player. You bring Trae Young in at 27 and you have somebody you can build around, somebody who can put fans in the seats who can shoot the ball at a high clip."

Wizards Can Eventually Make An Eastern Conference Finals Run

Young had been sidelined for the Hawks' last six games due a quad contusion, but there's little doubt he's one of the best scorers and three-point shooters when healthy. 

The four-time All-Star guard averaged 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game while converting on 43.2% of his field goal attempts and 35.1% from beyond the arc during his career with the Hawks.

"You bring in defensive players around him, but there's still a demand," McCants added. 

"As a player, when we're talking hoops, you have to play both sides of the game, there's just no hiding that. It's probably his biggest knock, because him and Luka (Doncic), certain guys that just don't have any effort on defense is just inexcusable."

While the Hawks have been experiencing some success as of late in the absence of Young, they're 20-21 and have won three straight games, it's worth mentioning that Young has proven he can lead a successful team in Atlanta.

The Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals under Young's lead during the 2020-21 season when the 27-year-old averaged 28.8 points per game during their playoff run.

McCants went so far as to say that Young can experience a similar level of success in Washington, a team that hasn't advanced that far in the postseason since the 1977-78 season.

"If he can make the Hawks a contender and take them to the Eastern Conference Finals, then he can do it with the Wizards," said McCants of Young. 

"I don't think the roster had anything to do with him making the conference finals more than it is his talent. The talent's always been there. It's about building around him, putting the right pieces there."

Young is in the midst of a five-year, $215 million max contract extension and will have a $49 million player option for next season. 

It's expected that he will sign a contract extension next offseason, further solidifying that the Wizards will build around their All-Star guard for the foreseeable future.