Could the Hawks hit pause on a Trae Young extension?

The Atlanta Hawks have been deemed winners of the offseason by nearly every single national media outlet, an unfamiliar spot for this franchise, but a well deserved one after what Onsi Saleh has pulled off in his first few months as general manager.

The addition of Kristaps Porzingis gives the Hawks a legitimate No. 2 option and directly addresses their biggest need. Nickeil Alexander-Walker brings elite perimeter defense and reliable outside shooting, while Luke Kennard — arguably the best three-point shooter in the league — adds a major boost in floor spacing. Collectively, those three dramatically improve Atlanta’s depth and versatility, two glaring weaknesses from last season.

The Hawks still have some work to do this offseason. They could use another big man, with recent reports connecting them to an old friend in Al Horford. They also need a veteran presence behind Trae Young. While 2023 first-round pick Kobe Bufkin is finally healthy, he hasn’t shown enough to be trusted as the full-time backup point guard just yet.

However, the most important remaining order of business surrounds extension candidates — Kristaps Porzingis, Dyson Daniels, and Trae Young.

In Porzingis’ case, it’s understandable if the Hawks want to see how he fits with the current group before exploring a long-term deal. His injury history further complicates matters. But Daniels and Young appear to be core pieces Onsi Saleh would likely want to lock in for the future.

There hasn’t been much buzz regarding Daniels’ extension talks, but there was an interesting note from Marc J. Spears, who reported that there have been no substantive negotiations between the Hawks and Trae Young, despite Young’s overwhelming commitment to the organization throughout the summer.