The Atlanta Hawks find themselves at a crossroads with Trae Young, their franchise cornerstone for the past seven seasons. Despite Young’s brilliance on the court, the front office has hesitated to commit to his long-term future, and now, according to ESPN insider Tim MacMahon:
“The long-term outlook for Trae Young in Atlanta is murky at the minimum at this point. This is a guy who has been the face of the Atlanta Hawks for seven years. He’s averaged 25 and 10.”
“You know, just led the league in assists. His offensive production has been elite. But there are question marks about whether this is going to, you know, be a long-term marriage.”
It’s a surprising development when you consider Young’s resume. Since being drafted in 2018, he has averaged 25.3 points and 9.8 assists per game, becoming one of the league’s elite offensive engines.
Last season, he led the NBA in both total assists and assists per game, posting 24.2 points, 11.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 76 games. Yet even with those numbers, the Hawks failed to reach the postseason, a reminder of the disconnect between Young’s individual excellence and the team’s broader results.
That lack of team success is at the heart of Atlanta’s hesitation. Young became eligible this offseason for a four-year, $229 million extension, but the Hawks have not offered it.
Instead, they are watching closely how he meshes with forward Jalen Johnson, who was limited to 36 games last season due to injury. Johnson’s size, versatility, and defensive upside could theoretically balance Young’s offense-first game, but until that partnership proves reliable, the front office appears unwilling to lock in Young for the long haul.
This puts the Hawks in a delicate position. Young is set to make $45.9 million in 2025-26, with a player option for $48.9 million in 2026-27. That means he could walk away as an unrestricted free agent next summer if he declines the option. Rival teams are already monitoring the situation, with the Orlando Magic frequently mentioned as a franchise that would make a move if Young became available.
For Atlanta, this feels like a make-or-break season. The team has reshaped its roster by adding Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, while leaning on younger building blocks like Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, and Johnson.
The front office hopes this mix will create the right ecosystem for Young, but if the Hawks fail to win and Johnson’s chemistry with him doesn’t take off, the franchise may have no choice but to reconsider its direction.
From Young’s perspective, the uncertainty must be frustrating. He has given Atlanta star power and national relevance, even delivering the franchise’s deepest playoff run in decades with their 2021 trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Yet since that high point, the Hawks have stagnated. Without a serious turnaround, Young might begin to wonder if his long-term future is better served elsewhere, in an environment more suited to competing for championships.
For now, the Hawks say they remain committed to their star guard. But MacMahon’s assessment is clear: this is no longer a stable marriage. With each passing season, the pressure grows for Atlanta to prove it can build a winner around Young. If they cannot, the league could soon witness one of the most significant superstar trade sagas of the decade.
