As the 2025 NBA Finals spotlights the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, the Atlanta Hawks are already deep in offseason planning after missing the playoff in the 2024-25 season. The Hawks have shaken up their front office, have added a promising young core highlighted by Jalen Johnson’s All-Star potential last year and Zaccharie Risacher’s flashes as a rookie offers a lot of hope for the future. But, the future of Trae Young remains the franchise’s main question. The four-time All-Star, now in year 3 of his five-year $215.1 million contract, is extension eligible, but the Hawks are still deciding on if they should double-down on their star or look for a blockbuster trade.
NBA Insider Zach Lowe has stirred debate and has advocated for the Hawks to keep Young rather than rush into a deal. With the season over, Atlanta must decide if Young is the cornerstone of their franchise or trade him away to reshape the roster. Could a new contract secure stability or will the Hawks risk repeating past mistakes by letting the situation linger? Let’s find out more.
On the Zach Lowe Show, Lowe pointed to Atlanta’s strengthened position, citing the Dejounte Murray trade return, Dyson Daniels’ emergence as a starter and a All-NBA defensive talent, and Johnson’s breakout season before his injury. The Hawks’ preferred lineup of Young, Daniels, Risacher, Johnson, and Okongwu played just 37 possessions together in 2024-25, posting a minus -34 net efficiency, per Cleaning the Glass. Despite the small sample size, Lowe sees potential and questions the trade market for Young, proposing a four-year $165 million extension. Significantly below the max $229 million Young is eligible for.
Young’s 2024-25 performance wasn’t spectacular by any sorts. He lead the league in turnovers with 355, shot the lowest from inside on just 53 percent make, and is one of the biggest liabilities on defense. Many teams are desperate to hire a point guard like Young, like the Heat, the Magic, or the Nets, and Atlanta is risking a repeat of prolonged John Collins trade fiasco.
nfl
Washington Wizards 
Charlotte Hornets 
Philadelphia 76ers 
Brooklyn Nets 
Toronto Raptors 
Miami Heat 
Chicago Bulls 
Atlanta Hawks 
Orlando Magic 
Detroit Pistons 
Milwaukee Bucks 
Indiana Pacers 
New York Knicks 
Boston Celtics 
Cleveland Cavaliers 
Utah Jazz 
New Orleans Pelicans 
San Antonio Spurs 
Portland Trail Blazers 
Phoenix Suns 
Dallas Mavericks 
Sacramento Kings 
Memphis Grizzlies 
Golden State Warriors 
Minnesota Timberwolves 
LA Clippers 
Denver Nuggets 
Los Angeles Lakers 
Houston Rockets 
Oklahoma City Thunder 
NBA 
