ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks have given Trae Young the most versatile roster of his career. The front office surrounded him with two-way wings and added Kristaps Porziņģis in a major trade. Young has never played alongside a scoring forward with Porziņģis’ shooting and size. The fit could open parts of the floor he has never been able to attack consistently. In a weakened Eastern Conference, the Hawks suddenly look like a dark-horse threat for a top-four seed. If the pieces click, the stage could be set for Young’s second All-NBA season — and with it, a financial ripple effect that could shake Atlanta’s cap sheet. The Hawks are essentially taking a gamble worth $121 million by not extending Trae Young now.
Hawks’ Trae Young Ultimatum Will Cost Them Over $121 Million
The Current Offer on the Table
Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million contract extension. That figure represents his maximum allowable deal under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Despite that, no extension talks are taking place. Jake Fischer, the People’s Insider revealed that Young and the Hawks view waiting from different perspectives. The 26-year-old is prepared to play out the 2025–26 season before deciding on his $48.9 million player option for 2026–27. Despite that resolve, Young is disappointed that the Hawks front office have not broached extension talks.
This patience carries a price tag. If Young earns All-NBA honors, he could become supermax eligible next summer. That deal is projected to be worth roughly $350 million over five years — more than $121 million higher than his current extension limit. For a front office balancing long-term flexibility, the math is impossible to ignore.
The Stakes of an All-NBA Season
The Hawks’ $121 million gamble hinges on more than Trae Young’s individual performance. Atlanta needs wins. If the team pushes deep into the playoff picture, voters could reward Young’s role in their rise. The league’s new CBA incentives make that kind of season financially transformative.
If the Hawks stall, the equation changes. Without All-NBA status, Young would be capped at the $229 million extension figure. That could push both sides toward a decision sooner, especially if trade rumors resurface. It’s possible that the Hawks will begin extension talks during the season if the team starts the season strongly.
A Future That Could Test Atlanta’s Resolve
In the most ambitious version of this season, Young dominates, Porziņģis stays healthy, and Atlanta contends. That path leads straight to the supermax conversation if Young chooses to go for more money. It forces the Hawks to commit over $121 million more than they could today.
But if Young declines his player option in 2026 without an extension, he could test free agency as one of the most sought-after guards in the league. In that scenario, the Hawks’ gamble becomes more than a hassle over figures — it becomes a turning point for the franchise’s future.
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