Trae Young Eyeing A Potential Exit From Atlanta? NBA All-Star Pauses Hawks Contract Talks

Last Updated:October 17, 2025, 16:53 IST

Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis will delay contract extension talks as the Atlanta Hawks revamp their roster to boost playoff hopes.

Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young (AFP)

The Atlanta Hawks have reshaped their roster around Trae Young this offseason.

But, latest reports suggest that the franchise isn’t expected to finalize a contract extension with its four-time All-Star guard before the 2025-26 NBA season tips off.

Young, 27, is entering the final guaranteed year of his five-year, $215.2 million deal, set to earn $46 million this season. He holds a player option worth $49 million for 2026–27, giving him flexibility to either re-sign during the season or test free agency next summer if no extension is reached.

Porzingis Also Presses Pause

According to The Athletic, Young isn’t the only Hawk putting contract talks on hold. Kristaps Porzingis, Atlanta’s headline offseason addition, also said he will postpone extension negotiations until after the season.

The Hawks acquired Porzingis and a 2026 second-round pick from the Boston Celtics in June in exchange for forward Georges Niang and a 2031 second-rounder from Cleveland.

New Additions Aim to Lift Hawks Back to Contention

Looking to climb out of play-in territory for the first time since 2022–23, Atlanta bolstered both ends of the floor this summer.

The team signed sharpshooter Luke Kennard on a one-year deal and strengthened its defense by acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves, sending a 2027 second-round pick and cash in return.

The Hawks are also banking on growth from their young core — Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, and Onyeka Okongwu.

Daniels, who is extension-eligible until Monday, will become a restricted free agent next summer if a deal isn’t reached.

Young Still the Engine

A model of consistency, Young led the NBA in assists last season with 11.6 per game, while averaging 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 76 games — all starts.

Since being drafted fifth overall in 2018, the wily point guard has averaged 25.3 points and 9.8 assists across 483 career games and famously guided the Hawks to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals.

(with Reuters inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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