The Atlanta Hawks are preparing for the upcoming season following a significant offseason marked by key acquisitions intended to strengthen their lineup beyond the play-in tournament stage. Central to their strategy is securing a contract extension for Trae Young, the team’s 26-year-old star. Young is eligible for a four-year, $222 million supermax deal, which would average $55.5 million annually for the seasoned seven-year veteran.
This prospective extension raises questions about whether Young’s performance justifies such a lucrative contract. ESPN NBA Insider Bobby Marks voiced skepticism during a recent broadcast, suggesting the Hawks should reconsider the offer’s structure.
Concerns About the Financial Commitment to Trae Young
Bobby Marks emphasized caution in awarding max contracts of this magnitude, especially when they average over $55 million per year. He believes that, in today’s roster-building environment, teams must be strategic to avoid financial constraints that limit flexibility.
Despite Young’s role as the offensive cornerstone for Atlanta over recent seasons, Marks argued that allocating a supermax contract to him may not be the best approach at this time. The Hawks’ management has been active in acquiring valuable role players like Kristaps Porziņģis and three-point shooter Luke Kennard to bolster their squad, underlining the importance of distributing resources wisely.
Evaluating Trae Young’s Standing Among NBA Players
While Marks acknowledged Young’s All-Star caliber, he stopped short of ranking him among the top 15 or even top 20 players in the league. The ultimate value of a contract extension also depends on how the Hawks’ roster evolves to support Young’s efforts.
“Trae Young is certainly an All-Star level player. I’m not putting him up there in a Top 15, maybe even Top 20 in the NBA. I want to see how this roster develops,”
—Bobby Marks, NBA Insider
In addition to Young, Marks pointed out that Dyson Daniels is another player eligible for an extension but suggested a more cautious approach by waiting until after this season before making a commitment.
“Dyson Daniels is also up for an extension here. I’m waiting out this season here,”
—Bobby Marks, NBA Insider
Hawks’ Recent Performance and Future Outlook
The Hawks ended last season with a 40-42 record, managing to qualify for the Play-In tournament but ultimately falling short by losing to the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. Although the new signings could enhance their competitiveness in the 2025-26 season, it remains clear that Young has been shouldering much of the team’s burden, especially while coping with Achilles tendinitis during the latter half of the previous campaign.
Young is expected to recuperate this summer, a crucial factor as the Eastern Conference faces a potential power shift following the postseason disruptions involving the Celtics and Pacers. Atlanta’s hope is to emerge as a new contender in the East, and maintaining Young with a balanced contract could be key to that ambition.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did adidas drop Trae Young?
A. Trae Young has joined Jordan Brand for his sneaker deal, moving on from his previous agreement with adidas.