Trae Young Won't Fix Washington's Predictable Problems Against Philly

Philly's Consistent Dominance Over Washington

Look, the Philadelphia 76ers keep flexing on the Washington Wizards. It's not just a one-off. On January 7, 2026, the Sixers thumped the Wizards 131-110. Joel Embiid dropped 28 points in that one, Paul George added 23. That's a serious one-two punch for any college team to handle, let alone an NBA squad trying to find its footing.

And it wasn't an anomaly. A few weeks earlier, on December 2, 2025, Philly beat Washington 121-102. Tyrese Maxey went off for 35 points, 20 of those in the third quarter alone. That kind of explosive scoring is what you dream of from your top recruits, that ability to take over a game in a single period.

The Wizards are getting beat by a lot. It's not just the scoreline; it's the consistent output from Philadelphia's stars.

Trae Young's Arrival: A College Hoops Parallel

Now, the big news from January 7th wasn't just another Philly win. It was the Wizards acquiring Trae Young in a trade with the Hawks. On paper, getting a talent like Young is a splash. It reminds me of a top-tier high school recruit committing to a struggling program. Everyone gets excited, thinks it's the missing piece.

But here's the thing: one elite scorer, even one with Young's vision, doesn't automatically solve systemic issues. You saw it in college hoops plenty of times – a lottery pick lands on a team, and they still finish mid-pack because the supporting cast, the coaching, the overall team identity just isn't there yet. Young is a phenomenal offensive player, but the Wizards just gave up 131 points to the Sixers on the same day they got him.

My hot take? Young's flashy passes and deep threes will be fun to watch, but it won't be enough to consistently turn the tide against a team like the 76ers. Not in the immediate future, anyway. This isn't March Madness where one hot hand can carry you through a bracket.

The Long Road Ahead for Washington

For the Wizards, this feels like a program in a rebuild, even with a marquee name coming in. They're consistently giving up big numbers to Philadelphia. Embiid and Maxey are just too much, too often. Adding Young addresses one end of the floor, but the defensive holes are still glaring. You can't outscore everyone in the NBA, especially not against top-tier contenders. You need a complete team, the kind of chemistry and balance that takes years to build, not just one trade deadline.

I've seen too many college teams bring in a five-star prospect and still struggle to make the tournament because the pieces around him aren't ready. The Wizards have a long, long road ahead to truly compete with the Sixers, even with Trae Young running the offense.

Bold prediction: The Wizards will miss the playoffs by at least five games next season, despite Trae Young's offensive heroics.