Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks will not agree to a contract extension before the start of the season. Young could become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 if he does not sign an extension and also declines his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Young is eligible to sign for up to $229 million over four seasons.
The Hawks want to evaluate how their team plays together as they also contemplate Young’s future with the franchise. The Hawks have surrounded Young with a number of defensive-minded athletes.
The Hawks could also have Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard and Dyson Daniels as free agents in 2026. Atlanta is confident they will retain Daniels long-term either before the October 20th deadline or as a restricted free agent in 2026.
Young signed a five-year, $215 million contract extension with the Hawks during the 2021 offseason as he qualified for the Rose rule provision by making third team All-NBA in 2022.