Trae Young’s patience with the Atlanta Hawks is running thin

The Atlanta Hawks aren’t following the usual protocol when it comes to Trae Young’s future. The franchise, not the player they picked seven years ago, is calling the shots - and it’s starting to show.

Trae was chosen over Luka Doncic in the 2018 draft (a pick Atlanta later traded), but now the team isn’t responding as expected. In the NBA, there are standard practices for contract extensions for key players, usually followed religiously (just ask Luka). But for Young, who was developed in Oklahoma, none of those expectations have materialized. This is simply because both Atlanta’s and Trae’s futures are being reconsidered from the ground up.

How NBA contract rules shape superstar deals

The NBA’s structure is pretty clear: top-tier players start with a rookie-scale contract lasting four years, followed by a designated “supermax” extension that can last up to five years.

These deals are usually signed and then tweaked over time to suit both the team’s and player’s needs. Trae’s current contract is following the standard path, but in the grand scheme of the league, it’s time for that veteran max contract.

Look at his draft classmates: Doncic signed a $165 million, three-year extension; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander locked up $285 million over four years; Jaren Jackson Jr. agreed to $240 million for five years. All from the 2018 draft class.

Meanwhile, Trae hasn’t even been contacted. The clock is ticking, and the player is getting restless. Insider Marc Spears recently reported, “He’s disappointed that the extension hasn’t happened yet.” The summer isn’t over, so there’s still time to work something out, but the signs are clear.

Hawks retool while Trae remains a wildcard

Under coach Quin Snyder, the Hawks are reshaping their roster, taking advantage of a weak middle tier in the Eastern Conference to push toward higher stakes. To do that, they traded for Kristaps Porzingis to anchor the inside, bet on Jalen Johnson’s potential, kept promising rookie Zaccharie Risacher, added sharpshooter Luke Kennard, and signed rising talent Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Solid moves across the board.

But Trae Young remains the loose piece in the puzzle — for better or worse.

From playoff hero to potential trade chip

For two years now, Trae has been quietly shopped in trade talks to the highest bidder. Gone are the days when he silenced the Madison Square Garden crowd, struck fear into Ben Simmons, or dominated Giannis Antetokounmpo in those unforgettable 2021 playoffs. Back then, Young was an electrifying 6-foot-1 floor general who scored from anywhere.

The NBA game has evolved, and so has Trae. Known since his youth for smart playmaking, he adjusted his game last season, dishing out a career-high 11.6 assists per game. Yet, it hasn’t been enough.

Tensions within the Hawks have lingered since the days of coaches Lloyd Pierce and Nate McMillan, and they continue in subtle ways with Snyder and front-office leaders GM Onsi Saleh and assistant GM Kyle Korver.

The breakout season of Dyson Daniels, a versatile guard-forward hybrid, has chipped away at Trae’s spotlight. Most importantly, Trae has become a bargain in the trade market among top-tier players.

Without an extension, he enters what could be an “expiring contract” year: he’s set to earn $45.9 million next season and has a $48.9 million player option for the following year — but he could also choose to become a free agent.

If no agreement is reached, the Hawks could offer him a max deal worth up to $345 million over five years, but that remains uncertain.

Hawks’ future still centers on Trae, for now

Right now, Atlanta’s plans don’t clearly include the guy who has been their cornerstone for the past seven years. Trae remains the face of the franchise, at least until the Hawks decide otherwise.

Meanwhile, the player is sending subtle messages on social media to pressure the team, but the front office isn’t reacting impulsively. With few blockbuster trades likely, aside from the likes of Giannis or LeBron, the NBA’s biggest move spotlight in the coming weeks will be focused right here.

Trae Young is resisting. It’s still a matter of timing, but he’s been warned: change is coming.

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