Trae Young’s future with the Atlanta Hawks is taking center stage in NBA discussions as his contract situation becomes increasingly uncertain. The 26-year-old point guard, who is eligible for a max extension this summer, appears prepared to play through the final years of his deal and test the market in 2026 if a new contract agreement remains out of reach.
Young’s current $200 million contract still has two guaranteed seasons remaining, including a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign. Should he decline that option and maintain his high level of play this season, he would become one of the most coveted free agents in the 2026 offseason.
Trae Young’s Consistent Elite Performance and Hawks’ Playoff Struggles
Young has firmly established himself as one of the NBA’s premier offensive threats. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged an impressive 24.2 points and led the league with 11.6 assists per game, shooting 41.1% from the field. Over the past three years, his consistent production of over 24 points and 10 assists per game places him among a select group of players with such elite output.
Since being selected in the 2018 NBA Draft, Young’s offensive skills—including deep shooting range and top-tier playmaking—have made him the face of the Atlanta Hawks. Despite his individual success, the team has struggled to match those achievements collectively. Over his seven seasons with Atlanta, the Hawks have qualified for the playoffs only three times, with just one deep run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. The other appearances ended in first-round eliminations, while four seasons were missed entirely.
This sporadic team success has sparked doubt about Atlanta’s ability to construct a championship contender around Young. The franchise is currently in a transitional phase, focusing on developing young players like Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, and Jalen Johnson, which adds to the uncertainty surrounding their immediate prospects.
Front Office Standoff and Young’s Frustration
Reports from NBA insider Marc J. Spears have highlighted growing frustration from Young toward the Hawks’ front office, which has yet to present him with a max contract extension. Despite his eligibility for a lucrative four-year, $229 million deal this summer, the absence of a formal offer has fueled speculation that Young may consider exploring free agency as the 2026 deadline approaches.
With two seasons left on his current deal and a significant player option on the horizon, Atlanta risks losing negotiation leverage if Young opts to enter unrestricted free agency. The situation raises critical questions about the alignment between Young’s ambitions and the franchise’s commitment to retaining him long-term.
The Potential Impact of Trae Young on the Free Agency Market
For other teams around the league, the prospect of acquiring Young in free agency is highly appealing. While criticisms about his defensive capabilities and smaller stature persist, his offensive production is widely recognized as elite, especially if deployed within a strong defensive system alongside other scoring threats. This is an environment the Hawks have struggled to consistently provide.
If Young becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026, he would instantly emerge as one of the marquee names available, offering a franchise-changing opportunity for any team willing to build around his talent. The outcome of this situation over the next two seasons will be pivotal not only for Young’s career trajectory but also for the future direction of the Atlanta Hawks organization.
Currently, it appears Young is prepared to bet on himself and the potential for growth within the Hawks, but the basketball community will be watching closely to see if Atlanta can convince their star player to commit long term, or if he pursues new opportunities in free agency.