It's been a strange summer for the Atlanta Hawks. Between free agency, a massive three team trade, and waiving one guy, they've had six players depart their roster. At the same time, the franchise has welcomed Luke Kennard, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Kristaps Porzingis. All three players are solid additions who will make the Hawks a bigger threat in their conference.
None of that addresses the elephant in the room for the Hawks, their star point guard Trae Young. He has been the face of the franchise since the Mavericks drafted him in 2018 and immediately traded him to the Hawks for Luke Doncic. The four-time All-Star and 2025 Assists Leader is one of the best the league has to offer.
Keeping that in mind, a big decision looms for the Hawks and for Young. He can opt out of his five-year max contract next summer and the Hawks front office has reputedly made no overtures for an extension. Both sides have big decisions about their futures to make soon with the success or failure upcoming 2025-26 season likely tipping the scales.
Trae Young is all elite...most of the time
Back in the 2018 NBA Draft, Trae Young went fifth in the first round, the same draft that saw Luka Doncic go third and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go 11th. It's no surprise that Trae went so high in the draft. During his one season at the University of Oklahoma, he was the NCAA scoring champion, the NCAA assists leader, and the recipient of the Wayman Tisdale Award.
His shot selection and play-making abilities made him an easy pick up for any team in the league. The Mavericks may have traded him for Luka on draft night, but the Hawks were certainly happy to get him. Trae is the type of point guard who could lead a franchise to the promised land. That's what the Hawks thought, at least.
While the Hawks do have solid players, they have failed to build a true contender around Trae Young. At the same time, the team isn't getting the consistent leadership out of Young that they need. That's what makes the 2025/26 season so important.
Atlanta has made some moves to make their team a more serious contender, giving Young the backup and depth he needs.
The Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young may part ways
While the Hawks do have solid players, they have failed to build a true contender around Trae Young. At the same time, the team isn't getting the consistent leadership out of Young that they need. That's what makes the 2025/26 season so important.
Atlanta has made some moves to make their team a more serious contender, giving Young the backup and depth he needs. For the franchise, the question will be whether or not Young can succeed with this new look Hawks.
They might be holding off an extension offer until they see what he can deliver with this updated roster. At the same time, Young and his management team are likely evaluating if the front office has done enough to put him in a position to succeed.
In the end, the decision will come down to the playoffs. If the Hawks have a good post-season, a max extension will be offered and likely accepted. If not, Trae Young may move on to greener pastures or the Hawks might look to find a superstar who can get them a championship.
There's a sizable chunk of change in the balance and both sides are going to want the best value for their money.