On Thursday, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported (subscription required) that he's spoken with several league executives who "are of the current belief that Young may have to exercise his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season." The Atlanta Hawks didn't extend their star point guard before the season, and he is still eligible to sign one right now, but there is a risk in not extending him, as it puts him in a position to decline his option to hit free agency.
The latest report makes it clear that the odds of that happening aren't what they were, and it makes sense why.
Young has played only five games this season due to an MCL sprain in his right knee. He was upgraded to questionable for tonight's game against Charlotte. Without Young in the lineup, Atlanta is 13-9, and the team currently sits seventh in the East with a 15-12 record.
Scotto added that the Hawks hope Young will return soon so he can "assimilate himself with the group to see what they have." Hopefully, that will be tonight, giving Atlanta several weeks to evaluate its plan of attack before the Feb. 5 deadline.
Based on Scotto's reporting, there isn't as much pressure on the Hawks to make a decision on Young. His trade value is low, so as of right now, it makes sense that there isn't a team willing to pay him a deal worth more than $49 million annually.
Insider says execs believe Trae Young will pick up his player option
Teams are right to be skeptical about going all-in on a six-foot-one point guard who struggles to defend in today's NBA, dominated by the tax apron. It doesn't help that the Hawks have done fine without Young, sitting outside of the top 10 in defensive rating since he got hurt (13th). They've had a far more free-flowing offense with Young out. It's up to him now to prove his worth (and that he can operate as more of an off-ball player than ever before).
Young is still in a position to decline his player option if he so chooses, but he won't do so without knowing he can command more money on the open market. The chance of that happening is slim to none.
Atlanta's decision not to extend Young has played in its favor thus far. That doesn't mean that an extension won't eventually happen, as the next few weeks (and months) could change that, depending on how he can re-integrate himself into the system that the Hawks built without him.