Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is not expected to engage in contract extension talks this offseason, NBA front office insider Bobby Marks explained on ESPN’s NBA Today. Marks highlighted that the team’s roster is still new and its full potential remains unclear.
“The flexibility starts with the newness of this roster,” Marks said. “Although it looks good on paper, we still don’t know how good this Atlanta team potentially could be.” He cited recent moves including the arrivals of Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard, and situation of Dyson Daniels, who is rookie extension eligible.
Marks noted Young’s extension eligibility runs through June 30, 2026, with a possible four-year, $229 million deal on the table. However, from Young’s perspective, there are about ten teams with cap space in the Eastern Conference, and the Hawks are projected to finish fourth per ESPN Bet. This could influence his willingness to commit long-term now.
“So I think this is going to be a slow play as far as where both sides are going to go,” Marks said. He also suggested there is “middle ground” to reach an agreement but emphasized Atlanta’s desire to see how the new roster fits before making a long-term commitment to Young.
Regarding timing, Marks added that players typically prefer to settle contract matters before the season starts. “You don’t want extension talks during the regular season—that’s something that happens after the season concludes,” he explained, referencing Jimmy Butler’s negotiations last year in Golden State.
This development aligns with a report from Jake Fischer on The Stein Line, who said Young’s camp plans to wait until he completes the final guaranteed year of his current contract before addressing his $49 million player option for 2026-27.
Young, 26, posted averages of 24.2 points and a career-high 11.6 assists last season. Since his 2018 draft, he has averaged 25.3 points and 9.8 assists per game, serving as the Hawks’ offensive centerpiece.
Atlanta’s front office, led by GM Onsi Saleh, is still evaluating long-term decisions. Recent roster changes, including adding Porzingis as a pick-and-pop option, have altered the team dynamic. Head coach Quin Snyder has praised Young’s leadership and defensive focus, suggesting optimism for the season ahead.
The Hawks have faced postseason struggles since their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run, failing to advance past the first round in the last three seasons. Young’s future with the franchise will likely depend on team performance and management’s commitment over the next two years.
