Trae Young, Hawks Reportedly Not Expected to Talk New Contract After Luka, Fox Deals

Luka Dončić landed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, while De'Aaron Fox inked a four-year, $229 million extension with the San Antonio Spurs.

But don't expect the Atlanta Hawks and star point guard Trae Young to follow suit.

NBA reporter Jake Fischer reported Sunday that "league sources tell me there are no plans for Young and the Hawks to engage in extension talks this summer."

Fischer added: "Sources say Young's side has actually been resigned for some time to the prospect of seeing out the final guaranteed year on his current contract rather than securing an extension, like his current contract, worth in excess of $200 million. He'd then have to make a decision about his $49 million player option for 2026-27."

Whether the lack of extension talks signals a rift between the Hawks and Young is unclear, though it doesn't seem to have quite risen to that level.

As Fischer noted, "the reported disappointment Young is said to be feeling about his contract status appears to stem largely from the fact that the Hawks never really broached an extension at all. Young is confident, sources say, in his ability to lead the Hawks back to the playoffs, which could prove to be a meaningful inflection point for both Atlanta and Young himself to hold extension talks."

He added that Young and head coach Quin Snyder have a "strong relationship" and a "real synergy," a good sign for the Hawks staying in his good graces going forward.

The Hawks also surrounded Young with more talent this offseason, trading for Kristaps Porziņģis and adding Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to round out the wing depth. Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher will have another year of experience, while Jalen Johnson will return from the torn labrum that cut his season short in January.

In other words, there is reason to believe the Hawks might be legitimate contenders in the wide-open Eastern Conference next season. A deep playoff run could convince both sides to hammer out a lucrative, long-term extension.

And if Young earns All-NBA honors in the process, he would be eligible for a five-year extension worth around $350 million. Waiting to sign such a deal might ultimately be his best option.

So Hawks' fans shouldn't be worrying just yet about a lack of extension for Young. Unless things go south during the season, the two sides seem likely to revisit the conversation a year from now.