Hawks predicted to experience deja vu with Trae Young this season

Trae Young has been bought in to what the Atlanta Hawks have done with the roster since the offseason. He has talked about “getting back” to his previous levels of production and recognizes the benefits of having a surplus of lengthy, athletic defenders around him.

The Hawks realized it too, making the moves to get to this point. And while they are expected to continue tinkering with the roster, to what degree remains uncertain.

That uncertainty has done little to quell doubt about the team’s outlook.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, it also brings familiar questions about the group, including Young’s future with the team. A hot topic of conversation over the offseason amid reports the Hawks explored the idea, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes predicts the tables will turn.

“Atlanta remains a middling operation caught between extremes. If things don't go well to start the season, Young could sense what's coming and get out ahead of it. Sort of a "you can't fire me; I quit!" situation,” Huges wrote on October 10. “Six full seasons, three of which included All-Star nods, is pretty long stint with an average team for someone with Young's profile. And it's not like rumors of the Hawks dealing him would be new.

Hughes points to the Hawks’ record over the past four seasons, which ranks 20th in that span, per Stathead. Hughes said they are stuck between tanking and trying to contend.

Young has not pushed for the Hawks to trade him.

However, he has expressed a desire to contend and make a deeper run to the postseason than he has, particularly over the past three seasons. The Hawks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020-21.

They were bounced out in the first round the next two seasons and missed playoffs entirely in 2023-24.

Young’s contract situation also looms large over the Hawks.

Trae Young’s future with Hawks a source of intrigue

He is in Year 3 of a five-year, $215.1 million contract. But he also has a player option in 2026-27 that speeds up the Hawks’ timeline. Young is eligible for an extension after this coming season, too, adding to the uncertainty around the situation.

“Many teams in the Atlanta Hawks' position would have traded Trae Young by now,” Hughes wrote. “Unfortunately for Atlanta, it doesn't control its first-rounders in 2025, 2026 or 2027. Thanks to the trade that brought Dejounte Murray aboard (who now plays for the New Orleans Pelicans, by the way,) those belong to the San Antonio Spurs. Bottoming out won't produce the typical draft-lottery reward for the Hawks.

“That said, Atlanta could pivot anyway. In an ideal world, it'd move Young to the Spurs for some or all of its previously owned draft equity. A deal that sent Young elsewhere would still make sense. If you can't get your own picks back, getting several of someone else's is a solid consolation prize.”

The Hawks made strides toward that end, acquiring the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 first-round pick and the New Orleans Pelicans’ 2027 first-rounder.

Despite the revamped roster and future flexibility, Hughes believes the end is nigh.

“It just feels like, one way or the other, this partnership is nearing its expiration date,” Hughes wrote.