Trae Young’s Max Extension Remains Uncertain as Hawks Look Ahead to Season

August 8, 2025

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, NBA — File photo

Luka Doncic and De’Aaron Fox recently locked in max-salary contract extensions with their teams. Meanwhile, Hawks star Trae Young, who has been eligible for a similar deal since July, remains without an agreement as the new NBA season approaches.

Doncic signed a three-year deal with the Lakers, and Fox agreed to a four-year contract with the Spurs. Young’s résumé compares favorably to Fox’s. The Atlanta guard is a four-time All-Star, led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, and posted career highs last season with 25.3 points and 11.6 assists per game. Fox has one All-Star nod.

Still, the Hawks and Young have not entered serious extension talks, ESPN’s Marc J. Spears discussed during Tuesday’s NBA Today.

“Trae has done a lot to show he’s invested in the Hawks,” Spears said. “He convinced Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to sign. Instead of going to the Jordan Brand event in Greece this summer, he came to Summer League and met with the new front office guys.”

Atlanta’s offseason moves have impressed. The Hawks added Alexander-Walker and Kennard in free agency, traded for Kristaps Porzingis, and expect Jalen Johnson back from injury. After falling short in the play-in tournament last spring, Atlanta is viewed as a strong playoff contender in the East.

Spears believes the season might start without a new deal in place.

“What I’m hearing now — and you can tell by Trae’s tweet during the Finals — is that he’s disappointed it hasn’t been offered,” Spears said. “Don’t be surprised if he plays this out and sees what happens next summer.”

Young’s tweet referenced NFL star Micah Parsons’ trade request amid a contract dispute.

“This why you pay the man early,” Young wrote. “When someone will take less early to stay in a place he wanted to be forever, you do it… the price only goes up now! Get what you deserve bro!”

Whether Young’s remarks apply to his own situation or signal a willingness to accept less than the max remains unclear. The public nature of the comment raised eyebrows.

Young’s shooting percentage hit a career low last season at 41.1 percent, and defense has never been his strong suit. The Hawks’ new front office, led by head of basketball operations Onsi Saleh, may want to evaluate how Young fits with the revamped roster before committing long term.

Young is set to earn about $46 million next season and holds a player option worth nearly $49 million for 2026-27. He can remain extension-eligible this season if he declines that option as part of a new deal.