The Atlanta Hawks limped to a 40-42 record in the 2024-25 season, missing the playoffs by falling flat in the Play-In Tournament.
Two crushing losses to Orlando and Miami sent them home early, leaving fans wondering what comes next. For months, that question has centered on one player: Trae Young.
Why Are the Hawks Waiting to Decide on Trae Young’s Future?
Despite all the trade speculation around Young, the Hawks aren’t rushing into any major decisions. According to NBA insider Marc Stein’s recent report on “The Stein Line” Substack, Atlanta has adopted a strategic approach that centers on one key factor.
“I’m told that the Hawks are eager to see more of Young alongside versatile swingman Jalen Johnson — who was limited to 36 games last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury — as they make determinations about their big-picture future,” wrote Stein in his report.
The front office wants to see if Young can effectively mesh with Johnson and the team’s evolving roster before making any franchise-altering moves. This is a reasonable approach, considering Johnson’s injury-shortened season left too many questions unanswered about how these two cornerstone players work together.
Young continued his elite playmaking in 2024-25, leading the NBA with 11.6 assists per game, averaging 24.2 points and 3.1 rebounds across 76 games. However, his shooting efficiency dropped, as he connected on just 41.1% from the field and 34.0% from beyond the arc.
TRAE YOUNG IS PUTTING ON A PASSING CLINIC 😮💨
He goes behind the back to Capela then hits LeVert the full length of the floor for the layup!! pic.twitter.com/PK8YN9syNu
— NBA (@NBA) March 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Johnson showed flashes of his potential in limited action, averaging 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and five assists in just 36 appearances before his shoulder injury ended his season. The Hawks view Johnson as a cornerstone for their future, making the Young-Johnson partnership crucial to their long-term plans.
jalen johnson is 22 years old averaging 20/10/5.5 on 50% shooting pic.twitter.com/LoyvRdhnJJ https://t.co/VEnNajSTk4
— brad guapovich (@BallUpTopBrad) December 5, 2024
What Does Young’s Contract Situation Mean for Atlanta’s Timeline?
The Hawks’ wait-and-see approach becomes even more interesting when you consider the financial implications. Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension, yet Atlanta hasn’t opened contract discussions. This silence speaks volumes about their current mindset.
“What I’m hearing now, at this point– you can tell by Trae’s Tweet, and I saw him during the Finals– I think he’s disappointed that it hasn’t come, it hasn’t been offered,” said NBA insider Marc Spears regarding the Hawks not offering Young a contract extension.
The timing creates pressure for both sides. Young, who has been Atlanta’s franchise cornerstone since arriving via trade from the Dallas Mavericks in 2018, clearly wants long-term security. The Hawks, however, are prioritizing on-court chemistry over immediate financial commitments.
This dynamic sets up two distinct paths for the 2025-26 season. If Young and Johnson develop the partnership Atlanta envisions, and if Young maintains his All-Star production, the Hawks will likely offer that massive extension. Strong chemistry between their two key players would signal that the current roster construction can work.
However, if the partnership struggles or fails to translate into team success, Atlanta could take a different approach. Without an extension, Young would become eligible for free agency in 2026, giving the Hawks flexibility to explore trades or prepare for his potential departure.
The upcoming season promises to answer these questions definitively. For Young, it’s a chance to prove he can be the centerpiece of a winning team alongside emerging talent like Johnson. For the Hawks, it’s an opportunity to determine whether their patient approach will pay dividends or if they need to make more dramatic roster changes.
