The Atlanta Hawks have not made progress on extension talks with Trae Young, who is potentially in the final season of his contract before he can test free agency, sources told ESPN. Young is set to earn $46 million this season and holds a $49 million player option for next season.
Determining Young’s market value has proven difficult for the organization. The four-time All-Star led the league in assists per game last season at 11.6, but the Hawks have averaged just 40 wins over the past four years and haven’t finished above .500 since 2021-22.
A maximum extension would cost Atlanta approximately $230 million over four years, averaging $58 million annually. The Hawks currently have no other max players on their books and must also consider $55 million in combined commitments to Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels starting next year, plus center Kristaps Porzingis’s impending free agency.
“The Hawks have been making smart decisions as a front office and they have done a nice job judging value on their players,” a Western Conference executive said. “Trae’s agent will spend the next few months working to figure out what his market is, and the Hawks will do their due diligence too, determining what the competition is.”
Young is sidelined for a month with a sprained knee suffered last week. Atlanta has gone 3-1 in his absence, though two victories came against struggling teams in the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers.
The Hawks’ performance without Young could influence extension negotiations. Strong play from the young core might reduce urgency to offer maximum money, while offensive struggles could strengthen Young’s leverage.
“Atlanta is good enough to keep Trae and be good and make the playoffs,” an Eastern Conference executive said. “But with the pick and Jalen, Dyson and Zach, they’ll at least pick up the phone and listen when called.”
Another Western Conference executive noted Atlanta’s roster construction revolves entirely around Young’s skill set and defensive limitations.
“That team is entirely built around him, and his skill set, and I don’t see another team that’s going to pay $50 million to bring him in [on a max deal next summer],” the executive said. “He’s the engine that makes that ship go. It will be interesting to see what it looks like there without him.”