NBA Insider Says Trae Young's Long-Term Hawks Future Is 'Murky' amid Trade Rumors

The future of Trae Young with the Atlanta Hawks continues to be "murky," according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

MacMahon argued at the 44:52 mark in the newest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast the Hawks have done well to build a roster that plays to Young's strengths and weaknesses right now. Still, the NBA insider isn't sure whether the four-time All-Star and Atlanta are locked in a "long-term marriage."

Young has a $49 million player option for 2026-27.

Earlier in the episode, host Brian Windhorst made the point that his situation might've been more straightforward under the old collective bargaining agreement. Atlanta would've given him a big extension that removed any doubt about his status.

However, Windhorst said the Hawks need to be "more cautious" in the current financial climate. The harsh penalties in the first and second aprons of the luxury tax force front offices to be more judicious with max contracts.

Expectations for Atlanta are reasonably high heading into 2025-26. The team qualified for the Play-In Tournament last year, and NBA.com's John Schuhmann ranked it fifth in the Eastern Conference after the additions of guards Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard and big man Kristaps Porziņģis.

Still, the run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals remains the apex of Young's time in Atlanta. As he heads into his eighth season, it's unclear whether the 26-year-old can be the lead star for a team with serious postseason ambitions.

And the Hawks have a good young nucleus that can chart a course forward if Young opts out and leaves as a free agent next summer. Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher are all 24 or younger. Thanks to some questionable decision-making by the New Orleans Pelicans, general manager Onsi Saleh might have another valuable lottery pick at his disposal in 2026, too.

Not that long ago, the idea of a rebuild without Young looked imposing. The organization has since done well to plan for that outcome if arrives.