Trae Young has changed the narrative around him to whom it matters most: Atlanta Hawks.
Facing an offseason of trade speculation after falling short in the postseason for three straight years, Young entered this season with renewed vigor and focus on doing what he does best, and that is passing the ball.
According to The Stein Line’s Marc Stein, there is far less chatter around the Hawks’ four-time All-Star this time compared to the same frame last year.
“The clearest possible read on Young's future with the Hawks will be easier to pinpoint with certainty once they secure a new lead decision-maker in the front office to replace the ousted Landry Fields, but talk of potential Young trades has undeniably faded after his generally strong 2024-25 season and return to All-Star status. Which is in sharp contrast to the past few seasons that ended with no shortage of Trae Trade Talk,” Stein wrote on April 27.
“Hawks personnel have likewise spoken often this season about Young's growth as a leader to the team's young wing men.”
Young has expressed strong sentiments to that effect after admitting working on his leadership.
Trae Young embracing leadership, veteran roles for Hawks
“I understand the space that we’re in right now. There’s probably two, really, teams that people in the – or maybe three – in the East that people really can see as contending teams. And for us, I don’t think we’re there yet, and I feel like that’s okay. I feel like here in a couple years we could be, or in the next year we could be,” Young told Chris Haynes on “The Haynes Briefs Podcast” on April 8. “Right now, this is a good spot for us to work on the right habits. Because we have talent.”
That was before the Hawks failed to make the playoffs for the second straight year; the first time Young has missed back-to-back playoffs since his first two years in the league.
“Add it all up and it would seem— pending similar backing from the Hawks’ next president of basketball operations — that the 26-year-old is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of Atlanta's offense,” Stein wrote.
The Hawks have been linked to various noteworthy figures for their top basketball vacancy.
Former Golden State Warriors GM and president of basketball operations Bob Myers is considered a longshot, but he has familiarity with Hawks GM Onsi Saleh.
Philadelphia 76ers GM Elton Brand played for the Hawks and could be a more realistic candidate, if not a less exciting one, compared to Myers, who architected four championship teams and has lucrative roles in TV as an analyst and the NFL as a consultant.
The decision on Young’s future is not purely sentimental.
Young is entering Year 4 of a five-year, $215 million contract extension. He is extension-eligible this offseason and possesses a player option for the 2026-27 season.
To date, it does not sound as though one will affect the other. But the Hawks have been a cap-conscious team in the past. And with a potential $229 million price tag, they could quickly find themselves in a similar position as they were in before reshaping their roster this past year.