Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young can opt out of his five-year max contract that he signed in 2021 next summer. However, the Hawks haven't talked to him about an extension, which makes the 2025-26 season critical for both parties.
Young, the NBA's assists leader in 2024 with 11.6 per game, has been eligible for a four-year, $229M extension since the new league year began July 6. According to Jake Fischer, the Hawks haven't approached Young, meaning he will effectively be in a contract year in 2025-26, albeit with a $49M player option for 2026-27 to fall back on.
It's an uncertain situation for both the player and the team. Young has been elite offensively and one of the league's best passers since the Hawks acquired him on draft night in 2018 in exchange for Luka Doncic and a first-round pick that became Cam Reddish.
Trae Young's last 5 games dime tape
— Pitless (@pitlessball) March 31, 2025
Averaging 13 assists over this span pic.twitter.com/aMKgJawO0I
Atlanta has made the playoffs in three of Young's seasons, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 while losing in the play-in tournament the last two years.
The Hawks have been open to trading Young in the past, though those rumors have slowed in recent months. Fischer reported that Young's previous representation, Klutch Sports, considered trying to pair Young with Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, who ended up trading for Klutch client De'Aaron Fox instead.
Now, the Hawks have built a team full of athletic defenders and outside shooters, including recently acquired Kristaps Porzingis, versatile forward Jalen Johnson and steals leader and Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels. Coupled with injuries to multiple Eastern Conference contenders and Young's strong relationship with head coach Quin Snyder, the Hawks have a real chance to return to the playoffs and even win a series.
That said, they must start the season strong before trade rumors about Young start swirling again. The 26-year-old would immediately become one of the most desirable free agents if he opted out of next year's deal. He could also qualify for a supermax contract (five years, $350M) if he makes the All-NBA team, which he did in 2021-22, adding more volatility.
The Hawks are seemingly in no hurry to extend Young, who can sign his extension any time before June 30, 2026. They're not sure what they have in their revamped team, with Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker joining the team and Johnson returning from an injury that cost him half of last season.
The Hawks aren't ready to offer Young the max, and he isn't ready to settle for less. That pressure could fuel a big season for the Hawks, but it might make for a chaotic year in Atlanta.
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