The clock is ticking, and Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks both know it.
Neither side may want to separate. However, given the current state of the Hawks – injuries aside – and Young’s looming contract situation, they have to at least address the idea sooner rather than later.
They may have already done so. The public is certainly not entitled to contract discussions or the sentiments that precede them.
To date, though, Young has only publicly stated his desire to remain in Atlanta and win.
That last part is where things get tricky. The Hawks are 207-251 whenever Young has played in his career to this point. Naturally, that has led to a negative narrative around the four-time All-Star’s ability to lead a winner.
However, that narrative ignores the lack of All-Star support Young – a four-time All-Star himself – has received in his career.
It is a damning reality.
His tenure has spanned the “Big 3” era into this more modest one where teams are taking a two-star approach. Then, when the Hawks did get another All-Star to pair with Young, they acquired one that took the ball out of his hands in Dejounte Murray, diminishing the PG’s impact.
Now, the Hawks have seemingly built a roster that is better suited to support Young. But injuries and inconsistency remain bugaboos.
This offseason is also sure to bring more changes to Atlanta.
The Hawks have 10 players on standard contracts for 2025-26. After Young – who is on a five-year, $215.1 million pact – Jalen Johnson is the second-highest-paid player on his five-year, $150 million contract.
Hawks evaluation tough amid injuries
Johnson being out for the rest of this season clouds Young and the Hawks’ ability to evaluate each other.
Young, 26, is young enough to stick through this retooling period.
However, he has a $48.9 million player option that must be planned for accordingly. What exactly that means for both sides remains unclear. Young’s name came up after the 2025 trade deadline, marking the second straight transaction window in which he was reportedly discussed.
He has downplayed trade speculation before. But the Hawks have seen constant trade rumors sour a player before.
The Hawks seemingly began turning a page at this year’s deadline.
They traded Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Andre Hunter, two of the five remaining players from the Hawks’ most successful run under Young. Clint Capela is expected to return after being sidelined with back spasms while the team also worked through trade options.
Capela is a free agent after the season, as is trade acquisition Caris LeVert, who the Hawks acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Hunter.
The Hawks can, of course, kick the can down the road.
However, they lose leverage the closer Young gets to that option without a new deal in the works (he is not extension-eligible until after the season). And the last thing they should want is for Young to become disgruntled and potentially go public was a request.