Trae Young Opens Up About Not Agreeing To Extension With Atlanta Hawks Before Season: ‘It’s Not All In My Hands’

Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks didn’t agree to an extension before the season started.

Young, one of the best players in the NBA, is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension.

“I’m not worried about it,” Trae Young told ESPN. “As much as I wish it was, it’s not all in my hands and I can’t control everything. I just can only control the present. And I know if we win, everybody eats … I understand what winning can do.

“If certain things don’t go my way as far as injuries, health and stuff that I can’t control, that may be the man above telling me there’s another plan for me. I’m focused on making sure all my guys, Quin [Snyder] included, get taken care of and succeed.”

Young averaged 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocks for the Hawks last season in 76 games while shooting 41.1% from the field, 34.0% from beyond the arc and 87.5% from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma product was first in the NBA in assists and assists per game.

Atlanta missed the 2025 playoffs despite Young’s brilliant season. The franchise made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. The Hawks haven’t won a playoff series since then. 

Young has career averages of 25.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.2 blocks with the Hawks. He has made four All-Star teams and one All-NBA team.

“There’s a lot of misconceptions of me,” Young said. “They’ll get changed over time, and I truly believe that. And I feel like a lot of it will get changed this year.”

The Hawks’ new front office was busy this offseason, signing Luke Kennard and trading for Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porziņģis.

Atlanta is 1-2 this season thus far. Young is averaging 20.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists.

Latest NBA News & Rumors