Trae Young is reportedly frustrated with the Atlanta Hawks after not receiving a max extension offer this summer. With two years left on his contract, including a 2026 player option, Young could explore free agency next offseason amid growing uncertainty.
Trae Young might be heading into his most crucial season yet with the Atlanta Hawks — but not for reasons fans were hoping.
Trae Young
Trae Young
Position: PG
Age: 26
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 82 kg
Birth place: Texas, United States of America
According to ESPN's Marc J. Spears, the All-Star guard is feeling disappointed and frustrated after the franchise declined to offer him a contract extension this summer, despite his eligibility for a four-year, $229 million max deal.
“There’s a new front office in Atlanta that’s trying to make decisions,” Spears said on NBA Today. “But what I’m hearing now at this point — and you could tell by Trae’s tweet — I think he’s disappointed it hasn’t been offered. So don’t be surprised at this point if he plays it out and sees what happens next summer.”
With two years left on his current contract (including a player option for 2026–27), Young could hit the open market as early as next summer. And right now, all signs suggest he may do just that.
After averaging 24.2 points and 11.6 assists per game last season, Young still sees himself as the engine of everything Atlanta does. He’s carried the team since being drafted in 2018, and while a few new faces — including Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, and Jalen Johnson — have entered the fold, the Hawks still orbit around Young.
Despite that, the Hawks’ recent track record is underwhelming. Besides the 2021 run to the Eastern Conference Finals, Atlanta has fallen short of expectations season after season. Last year’s 36–46 finish left them 10th in the East — a clear sign that things need to change.
That change could be on the horizon. Atlanta made a bold move this offseason by trading for Kristaps Porziņģis, adding a seasoned, floor-stretching big man with championship experience. On paper, it’s a strong fit next to Young, who could elevate Porziņģis’s impact with his elite pick-and-roll playmaking.
But while the Hawks might be banking on a bounce-back season, the biggest question remains: will Trae Young still be around after it?
If the front office doesn’t move quickly to mend the relationship — or deliver a winning season — Young could very well take control of his future and explore other options in 2026. One thing’s for sure: his patience is wearing thin, and the Hawks are on the clock.
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