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The Atlanta Hawks may have expected to be serious contenders in a seemingly wide-open Eastern Conference, prior to the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. Atlanta made a series of exciting moves over the summer to bolster its depth. The Hawks brought in former All-Star 3-and-D center Kristaps Porzingis via trade while signing wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker (via a sign-and-trade) and sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
With rising star forward Jalen Johnson expected to be healthy after missing much of 2024-25 with an injury, and four-time All-Star point guard Trae Young still in his prime, the Hawks were hoping to establish themselves as a team to beat in the East.
Things haven’t quite worked out that way, and now Atlanta’s priciest player could be dealt by this year’s Feb. 5 trade deadline.
During a new episode of ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast, co-host Tim MacMahon revealed that Atlanta is angling to offload Young’s contract.
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As of yet, the Hawks have failed to reach an agreement on an extension for Young’s current five-year, $215.2 million deal.
“The Hawks certainly are indicating that they’re looking for the exit ramp with Trae Young,” MacMahon said. “They did not make any attempt to get him signed to an extension. When that’s the case with your face of the franchise, that’s a pretty clear message that the end could be near.”
Young possesses a $49 million player option for 2026-27, meaning he could reach unrestricted free agency this summer.
“It’s not going to be easy,” MacMahon said. “There’s not going to be some wide array of teams raising their hand and trying to get in on the bidding, and I’m not sure if you’re even gonna be able to make a trade that’s going to bring value in return.”
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Atlanta could be looking to ditch Young while his trade market value is on the downswing.
Through his 10 healthy contests for Atlanta, Young has been averaging 19.3 points on .415/.305/.863 shooting splits, 8.9 assists, and 1.5 rebounds a night. Those averages represent his worst since his 2018-19 rookie season, as he’s playing a career-low 28.0 minutes due in large part to his defensive issues. The 27-year-old is posting a surprisingly bad -8.7 on/off rating.
Atlanta is on a brutal seven-game losing streak. Young has been a critical part — in the wrong way — of five of those defeats. Overall, the Hawks have gone just 2-8 in their 10 contests with the 6-foot-2 Oklahoma product.
Young isn’t even the only Hawks starter the team is amenable to moving, as another report suggested that 2024 No. 1 draft pick Zaccharie Risacher could be on the move soon, too.
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