Trae Young and cryptic social media posts go together like peanut butter and jelly. Sometimes they mean nothing, and sometimes they mean everything. His latest post, however, should have Hawks fans at least a little concerned about what it might mean for the team’s future.
“It’s just business…” Young said on Twitter/X with a crying laughing emoji.
The Atlanta Hawks’ offseason has been filled with nothing but positives. They were widely praised as winners of free agency after landing Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard. Then, they were labeled winners of the NBA Draft when they struck a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, moving back just 10 spots while acquiring a 2026 first-round pick — the more favorable of New Orleans’ and Milwaukee’s — which currently projects to be a lottery selection.
The only item on the Hawks’ offseason checklist that has yet to materialize is a contract extension for star point guard Trae Young, which could be what his latest cryptic social media post is alluding to.
Back on August 5, Marc J. Spears reported that Young was “disappointed” a contract extension with the Hawks had not yet been completed.
The Hawks have yet to offer Trae Young an extension, per @MarcJSpears
“He’s disappointed that it hasn't come.”
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 ) pic.twitter.com/EXumnejBxX
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 5, 2025
Fast forward a couple of months, and it doesn’t appear any progress has been made on that front, suggesting the Hawks may be comfortable letting Young play out the final year of his deal. That would make him eligible to hit the open market next offseason if he opts out of his nearly $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Of course, it’s entirely possible Young’s tweet has nothing to do with his contract situation. Still, until a new deal is signed, speculation about his relationship with the organization will linger, especially during a season in which the Hawks are expected to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference following their busy offseason.
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