Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks may demonstrate next season that he deserves an extension on his contract, presenting his case for prolonged service with the team.
Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young on the Brink of a Contract Decision
As the Atlanta Hawks prepare for the upcoming 2025-26 season, the future of star point guard Trae Young remains uncertain. Despite another impressive campaign last season, the Hawks and Young are yet to engage in contract extension negotiations, with both sides seemingly content to wait until after the current season before making a decision.
With a stellar average of 91.0 touches per game in the 2024-25 season, Young continues to be the franchise centerpiece for the Hawks. The budding trio of Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher, who made their mark last season, will provide valuable support as Young leads the charge once more.
Young's averages of 5.52 seconds per touch last season represent a slight decrease from his 6.27 seconds per touch in the 2019-20 season, but his numbers have remained consistent over the years. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged 5.94 seconds per touch, while in the 2023-24 season, that figure dropped slightly to 5.82.
The lack of extension talks this summer is not surprising, as Young’s camp appears prepared to see out the current contract’s final guaranteed season rather than rush an extension. The Hawks, meanwhile, seem hesitant to commit long-term given recent team performance setbacks following their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals appearance and several first-round playoff exits since then.
The absence of a lucrative contract extension for Young is in stark contrast to deals made by other star guards like Luka Dončić and De’Aaron Fox. Fox, for example, recently secured a four-year extension with the Spurs, paying him around $61 million in the 2029-30 season.
With the deadline for a potential extension agreement set for June 30, 2026, everything is lining up for Young to have a massive year. If he can earn All-NBA honors next season, he could be eligible for a five-year, $350 million max extension. Such a deal would solidify his status as one of the highest-paid players in the league.
However, Young has expressed disappointment about the lack of extension discussions with the Hawks. He has not received a contract extension despite other guards his age getting lucrative deals, which has led to some frustration. If he wants max money, next season will be his chance to prove it.
The Hawks have bolstered their roster this offseason, acquiring Nickiel Alexander-Walker to bolster their defense and signing Luke Kennard away from the Memphis Grizzlies. They have also traded for Kristaps Porzingis, who will provide a significant boost to their offense.
With these additions and a strong relationship with head coach Quin Snyder, the Hawks are expected to be in a great position to secure a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference due to injuries on the Celtics and Pacers. If Young can lead the team to a deep playoff run, it may just be the push he needs to secure that elusive contract extension.
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