Trae Young is confident he can lead the Atlanta Hawks back to the NBA playoffs next season, despite no contract extension discussions taking place, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. The Hawks last appeared in the postseason in 2023 but have yet to return since.
Contract Situation and Future Free Agency Potential
Sources reveal that the Hawks will not offer Young an extension this offseason, even though he is eligible for a four-year, $229 million deal. Young, who will earn $45.9 million in the upcoming season, holds a player option for 2026-27 worth $48.9 million. If he declines that option, he could become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026.
“Trae Young is confident, sources say, in his ability to lead the Atlanta Hawks back to the playoffs, which could prove to be a meaningful inflection point for both Atlanta and Young himself to hold extension talks,”
Jake Fischer wrote.
“Yet if Young indeed has the sort of season that he thinks he and the Hawks are capable of, it’s certainly feasible that he could emerge as one of the league’s premier free agents in the summer of 2026 should he decline the player option.”
Young’s Performance and Hawks’ Recent Playoff History
Trae Young ranks among the NBA’s elite scorers and facilitators, having averaged 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 11.6 assists over 76 games last season. He shot 41.1% from the field, 34.0% from three-point range, and 87.5% from the free-throw line, leading the league in both total assists and assists per game. Despite this, Atlanta missed the 2025 playoffs.
The franchise’s last notable postseason run was in 2021 when the Hawks reached the Eastern Conference Finals but fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. Since then, Atlanta has failed to win a playoff series.
Across his career with the Hawks, Young maintains averages of 25.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. He has earned four All-Star appearances and one All-NBA team selection.
Team Changes and Offseason Moves
Atlanta’s new front office has been active this offseason, bringing in Luke Kennard via free agency and acquiring guards Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Kristaps Porziņģis from the Boston Celtics through trades. These moves aim to strengthen the roster as the Hawks prepare for the upcoming season.
Implications for Hawks and Trae Young’s Path Forward
Trae Young’s determination to lead the Hawks back into playoff contention, despite the lack of extension talks, sets up a tense and pivotal period for both the player and the franchise. Should Young replicate the level of play he anticipates, he could position himself as one of the most sought-after free agents in the league by 2026.
The upcoming season will be crucial in shaping Atlanta’s competitiveness and the future of its star point guard, whose decisions will impact the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.