The Atlanta Hawks have a Trae Young problem on their hands, one that is growing larger by the day. He is eligible to sign a four-year, $228.6 million extension this summer, but the Hawks have yet to offer him a deal. There is no looming deadline, as Atlanta has until June 30 of next year to do so, but waiting might not play out the way the organization hopes it will.
On Tuesday, Marc Spears of ESPN/Andscape said that Young is "disappointed" that the Hawks haven't offered him an extension.
Young publicly offered support on X (Twitter) for Cowboys star Micah Parsons, who requested a trade amid a contract dispute.
This why you pay the man early, when someone will take less early to stay in a place he wanted to be forever, you do it… the price only goes up now!
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) August 1, 2025
Get what you deserve bro!
You can read between the lines and tell that while the tweet was directed to Parsons, it also contained a message for Atlanta's front office. Young isn't happy with how things have gone between him and the Hawks this summer, which could lead to some awkwardness once the season starts.
Trae Young extension saga is already playing against the Hawks
Atlanta had the leverage in a potential Young extension, that is, until De'Aaron Fox signed a four-year, $229 million extension a few days ago. You can rightfully argue that Young isn't a max-level player, but neither is Fox. Young has a better case than the Spurs guard, which disadvantages the Hawks.
If the organization plans to wait and see how this season goes, and then try to re-sign Young next offseason, it could backfire. He has a $49 million player option that he can decline, making him an unrestricted free agent. Until he signs a new deal, there is the chance that Young will leave Atlanta with nothing in free agency.
Trading Young isn't something the Hawks should be considering right now. They gave him the supporting cast he needs this offseason, and should be a top team in the East as a result. Young will be a huge part of their push to return to the conference finals for the first time since 2021.
If he doesn't sign an extension, next season could be a prove-it season for him. He could up his value to the point where he feels confident declining his player option, if the Hawks let things get to that point.
Atlanta has to tread carefully, or else, the Hawks could lose their most important player for nothing.