Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks enter a pivotal 2025 offseason after a disappointing Play-In Tournament exit. The Hawks banked on developing their young core of Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, and Onyeka Okongwu this season. Johnson’s shoulder injury prevented them from seeing their full potential after one season together, but the final three players made big strides throughout the campaign. However, Atlanta may not be able to lean into development as much in the 2025–26 season. Young is up for a lucrative contract extension and has leverage over Atlanta’s new front office this summer. The star point guard’s decision can have a ripple effect on the franchise in the near future.
Trae Young Up For Important Contract Extension This Summer
Talking Numbers
Young will be entering his fourth year of a five-year, $215 million contract at the beginning of next season. However, his final year is a player option for nearly $49 million. Young could decline that and enter unrestricted free agency just one year from now. In contrast, if Young believes he can win a championship in Atlanta, he is up for a four-year, $229 million extension this summer. If he is voted onto an All-NBA team from this season, that number bumps up to five years and $345 million. He led the NBA with 11.6 dimes per game after receiving his fourth career All-Star nod.
Young has stated multiple times that he wants to win in Atlanta. In his exit interview a week ago, Young reassured Hawks fans of his stance.
“Of course…I’ve won here before, I haven’t won a championship but I’ve achieved a lot of things here. I know what it takes. I definitely feel I can win here.”
Trae Young asked by @AlisonWSB if he can win in Atlanta,
“Of course…I’ve won here before, I haven’t won a championship but I’ve achieved a lot of things here. I know what it takes. I definitely feel I can win here.” pic.twitter.com/XRTyJXyLvV
— Caleb Johnson (@ATLjohnson18) April 19, 2025
The Hawks pushed the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks to six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, Atlanta has not come close to replicating that season. The Dejounte Murray acquisition backfired, and the Hawks have missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons.
At this point, the Hawks are not close to championship contention. Even if their young core blossoms into multiple stars, it will take years, and Young is just entering the prime of his career at age 26. He might not want to wait. If Atlanta continues to lean further into developing talent, Young could walk after next season. This depicts the worst-case scenario for the Hawks because they are not acquiring young talent and draft capital when heading into a full rebuild.
Young Has Leverage Over the Hawks
Young holds the cards when negotiating a possible contract extension this summer. He can tell the front office he wants to win now or threaten to decline his 2026-27 player option. As a result, the Hawks could speed up the process and trade some of their young talent and draft assets for a star to pair next to Young.
According to ClutchPoints National NBA Insider, Brett Siegel, Atlanta reached out to the Phoenix Suns regarding Kevin Durant at the 2025 trade deadline. Both franchises could resume talks this summer because Durant is likely on his way out. Young grew up watching the 36-year-old superstar in Oklahoma City and looks up to him as a role model.
Giannis Antetokounmpo also has the potential to be traded. The Milwaukee Bucks are on the brink of elimination, down 3-1 to the Indiana Pacers, and Damian Lillard tore his achilles tendon. Lillard will miss most, if not all, of next season, leaving Milwaukee in a difficult position. The Bucks are limited in their draft capital and financial flexibility over the next five seasons. Antetokounmpo, at 30 years of age, wants to win in the prime of his career and could request a trade. Young and Antetokounmpo in the pick-and-roll would form a lethal combination if they team up in Atlanta.
Young can influence the Hawks’ 2025-26 campaign and beyond in a big way.
Photo credit: © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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