Shams Charania hints at Trae Young’s cloudy future with Hawks

The Hawks were among the busier teams this offseason, pulling off blockbuster trades, signing multiple free agents, and reaching a $100 million contract extension with Dyson Daniels. However, one deal that didn’t get done was a new contract for star point guard Trae Young.

Young is essentially entering the final year of his contract with Atlanta. He holds a player option for next season worth nearly $50 million, but he’s almost certain to decline it in pursuit of a much larger payday in free agency. That’s a risk the Hawks were willing to take, which understandably frustrated Young, given that seemingly everyone else around him got paid.

Because of that, Young’s future in Atlanta has never been more uncertain, a sentiment recently reiterated by NBA insider Shams Charania.

“Three names to look at: Giannis, Trae Young — keep an eye on them,” Charania said. “Trae didn’t extend his contract in the offseason. He’s got one year left. He’s a free agent next summer… He could stay in Atlanta, but he’s going to have a market. We’re talking about Trae Young here.”

To this point, the situation between Young and the organization remains amicable — a testament to Young’s maturity after years of being unfairly labeled a selfish or coach-killing star. He’s made it clear his top priority is getting the Hawks back into contention, trusting that the rest will take care of itself down the line.

From the Hawks’ perspective, there’s certainly risk in allowing Young to test free agency. He’ll be courted by several teams — especially if he leads Atlanta on a deep playoff run — but it’s also evident that the front office isn’t entirely sold on him being the piece that can lead them to a championship. Concerns about his defense persist, and his scoring efficiency dipped noticeably last season.

It’s possible the Hawks believe the money earmarked for Young could be better allocated elsewhere, which makes his early-season injury all the more deflating. This year is essentially a test run to see how all of the new additions mesh together. Without Young on the floor, the front office may have to make major decisions at the trade deadline or next offseason without all of the adequate information.

Thankfully, the news wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. Young suffered an MCL sprain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, but that doesn’t leave the Hawks much time to find their rhythm before the trade deadline, when Young’s name could quickly rise to the forefront of league-wide conversations.

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