While several NBA stars like Mikal Bridges, De’Aaron Fox, and Luka Doncic recently secured new contracts, Trae Young’s future with the Atlanta Hawks remains unclear, raising questions about his potential supermax extension. At 26 years old, Young is waiting for the organization’s decision, but team owner Tony Ressler has yet to approve moving forward with the deal.

Young’s recent social media activity, including a supportive tweet for NFL player Micah Parsons—who is pressing for a better contract from the Dallas Cowboys—has drawn attention to his own unresolved contract status. His message, “Get what you deserve,” suggests growing frustration with the current situation.

Efforts to Strengthen the Team Amid Contract Delay

NBA reporter Spears highlighted how Young is still trying to improve the Hawks’ offensive support, despite limited assistance from the franchise since his exceptional 2021 playoff performance that pushed Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals. Spears mentioned that Young personally convinced key players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to join the Hawks, even taking part in the Summer League to engage with new team president Bryson Graham.

According to Spears, based on his sources and his own observations during the Finals, Young is visibly disappointed that the Hawks have not yet offered an extension. He said,

“At this point, you can tell by Trae’s tweet, and I saw him during the Finals, I think he’s disappointed that it hasn’t come, it hasn’t been offered.”

Spears also suggested that Young may choose to wait until next summer to see how things develop, emphasizing,

“So don’t be surprised if, at this point, he plays this out and sees what happens next summer. But to me, Trae has nothing to prove. He’s a star.”

The Significance of Trae Young to the Hawks Franchise

The analyst further compared Young to a Hawks icon, declaring him to be the team’s new Dominque Wilkins, a face of the franchise and one of the league’s top shooters. Spears explained,

“He’s the face. He’s their new Dominque Wilkins. He’s one of the best shooters in the league. I don’t think he has anything to prove, but there’s new sheriffs in town who want to figure out with this young group.”

Allowing Young’s frustration to grow unchecked could be a costly error for the Hawks, especially in a highly competitive Eastern Conference that appears more open than in recent years, following setbacks experienced by teams like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. The Hawks barely secured a playoff spot last season but were eliminated in the Play-In tournament.

If Atlanta loses Young, the franchise risks entering a difficult period unless they acquire another superstar, a gamble that may not offer the same stability. Considering Young’s role as the team’s cornerstone, it remains in the Hawks’ best interest to resolve the extension talks promptly.

What Lies Ahead for Trae Young and the Hawks

As the offseason progresses, Trae Young continues on his current contract while awaiting the Hawks’ decision. The situation places both the player and the organization in a delicate position, with Young potentially facing significant decisions when next summer arrives. How the Hawks handle this stalemate could shape the future of their team and their chances in the evolving landscape of the NBA.