Trae Young may be locked in for now, but the league is watching closely. According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, several executives are monitoring Young’s situation as he enters a pivotal stretch of his career. With a player option looming in 2026 and no extension signed yet, Young could become one of the most sought-after free agents on the market.
“Executives in Las Vegas were closely watching and monitoring the future and status of Atlanta’s Trae Young. He has two years left on his deal this upcoming season, but he has a player option in 2026,” said Shams. “He can be a free agent next summer, and it’s going to be a much more flush market in free agency coming up. This is a Hawks team that has made a ton of moves this offseason, and they can go several different directions. But the Hawks want to see how this team looks. Both Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis are extension-eligible. Trae Young, by all accounts I’m told, is locked in; he’s excited about this team. He really believes this team is as close to that team that made it to the ECF. He’s excited, and I know once he gets into the season, he wants to focus on that season. So if there is no extension and we’re into the regular season, I would not be surprised if he just waits until the 2026 summer before any decisions on his future.”
Young, 26, joined the Hawks in 2018 and was immediately tasked with leading the franchise back to relevance. Known for his elite shooting, flashy ball handling, and dynamic playmaking, he embraced the spotlight and carried championship expectations early. By his second season in the league, Young was an All-Star with averages of 29.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game on 43.7% shooting. In 2021, he led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals during an impressive and unexpected run.
But that deep playoff run remains the high point of his career. Since then, Atlanta has been stuck in mediocrity, and Young—once seen as a rising face of the league—has drifted out of the spotlight. After years of disappointing seasons, the team made an effort to change its situation this summer by adding Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker, Luke Kennard, and Caleb Houstan, among others.
Now, Young believes the Hawks are in a position to have their best season yet. With a mix of veteran talent and trusted stars, they have their best roster in years and a team that’s good enough to challenge the Eastern Conference juggernauts. The plan for the Hawks now is to let things play out and see what they have with the new-look roster.
As for Young, he’s got three primary options right now. First, he can break tradition and sign an extension during the season. It may be slightly out of character, but at least it would silence any notice about a potential departure. If the Hawks are hot, he may want contract security earlier.
The most likely outcome? Young plays out his current deal, preserving his flexibility while giving the Hawks one last chance to prove they can contend so that he can either opt out or opt in to become a free agent within the next two years. This way, he can control his destiny and find a path that’s best-suited for his success. Of course, he can also force his way out via trade if he really wants. For now, at least, it seems like he’s fully bought into his mission in Atlanta.
The next few months will be critical, not just for Atlanta’s playoff hopes, but for their future with Trae Young. He may be locked in now, but if this season fails to deliver real progress, don’t be surprised if his name resurfaces in trade talks or free agency buzz. One way or another, the clock is ticking in Atlanta.
