The Wizards' Trae Young Bet Against Philly is Already Looking Shaky
Here's the thing about grand experiments: they often blow up in your face. Or, at least, they hit a few immediate snags. The Washington Wizards, after acquiring Trae Young from the Hawks, probably envisioned a more competitive start to their new era. Especially against a familiar foe like the Philadelphia 76ers.
Look, the NBA isn't the EuroLeague, where a single superstar often dictates the flow and outcome. But even stateside, the impact of a new acquisition is supposed to be felt. The Wizards, though, have now dropped two straight to the Sixers this season, including a 131-110 rout on January 7, 2026. Embiid had 28 points in that one, Paul George 23. That's a pretty clear statement from Philly.
Young's Uphill Climb
Washington’s decision to bring in Young was a bold one, certainly. It signaled a new direction, a commitment to a different style of play. But you look at the recent results, and you have to wonder how quickly this "new look" can actually translate into wins. On December 2, 2025, the Sixers already beat them 121-102. Tyrese Maxey went off for 35 points that night, with 20 of those coming in a dominant third quarter. That's two significant losses, both by healthy margins, to the same team. And both before Young even donned a Wizards jersey for the January 7 game.
Thing is, a player like Trae Young, with his particular offensive gifts and defensive liabilities, demands a specific ecosystem to thrive. He’s not Nemanja Nedović, who can slot into various EuroLeague systems with minimal fuss. Young needs the ball, needs the structure to maximize his playmaking. And frankly, the early returns against a team like the Sixers, who boast legitimate two-way talent in Joel Embiid and Paul George, show just how much work lies ahead for Washington. Twenty-eight points for Embiid and 23 for George in a 131-110 win – that’s not just a bad night; it’s a systematic dismantling.
My hot take? The Wizards made a splash, but they're already learning that a single trade doesn't magically fix a team's core issues. Especially when that team then gets hammered by 21 points on January 7, 2026, against a legitimate contender. It's going to take more than just Trae Young to turn that ship around.
Prediction: The Wizards will miss the playoffs by at least five games this season, despite the addition of Young.