The clock is ticking in Atlanta. Year 8 is on deck for Trae Young, and while the four-time All-Star has done everything to keep the Hawks relevant, the franchise has fallen short of expectations since their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run. A mix of front office turnover, misaligned rosters, and a few tough injury breaks later, the Hawks enter the 2025-26 season with pressure mounting on the court and behind the scenes. But this offseason, things feel different.

After years of mid-tier acquisitions, the Hawks finally made a splash by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis in Atlanta. The Latvian big man arrived in a trade with Boston that turned heads across the league. At first, it felt like a quiet headline. Then came Summer League, and next the EuroBasket. And suddenly, you started to hear it: maybe Atlanta has something here.

In a recent appearance on the Club 520 podcast, Trae Young spoke with quiet confidence. He knows what this season could be. And without naming names, he made it crystal clear who might tip the balance. “I feel great. I can’t lie to you. I mean, if we’re healthy, I mean, it’s going to be scary,” Young said. “For me, I’m not one to really want to talk about it right now. Like, I’m a guy that’s wanting to let the play do the talking. And I know if we healthy, all that’s going to speak for itself.”

Then, the pivot. “No, I’m not worried. The only thing that can stop us in my mind is health. So we got a lot of talented players and a lot of guys that are playing for something too. So that’ll push guys to go even harder. When you got guys playing for something, I mean that’s scary. And so we have health on our side. We got a chance.” Trae later mentioned Jalen Johnson as an example, who went down with a shoulder injury last season and missed around 46 games. Before this, Young believed the Hawks were climbing and clearly were top five in the East.

The same applies to Kristaps Porzingis, “if healthy,” he is the perfect piece in Atlanta’s puzzle this season. The 7’3″ sharpshooting center brings exactly what Young’s needed for years: spacing, rim protection, a reliable roll/pop partner, and another All-Star-level talent with playoff experience. Last season with Boston, he averaged 19.5 points. His presence pulls defenders out of the paint, giving Young more freedom than he’s had at any point in his career.

And now, Porzingis is healthy again. He’s been dominant in EuroBasket, logging back-to-back games with no issues and flashing the kind of efficiency that made him a unicorn in the first place.  Atlanta’s new-look roster, headlined by Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard, is the deepest Young has ever had. GM Onsi Saleh delivered. Now it’s on the players to make it work. But beneath the optimism, there’s a tension.

Ultimately, it all comes down to money

Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension. But no offer has come. Despite being one of the NBA’s most productive guards, leading the league in assists last season, Young hasn’t been rewarded like his peers. Luka Doncic and De’Aaron Fox have already locked in their next deals. Young hasn’t even had talks.

He hasn’t exactly hidden his frustration. “This why you pay the man early,” Young tweeted during the NFL offseason. “When someone will take less early to stay in a place he wanted to be forever, you do it… the price only goes up now! Get what you deserve bro!” ESPN’s Marc J. Spears later confirmed: “What I’m hearing now—Trae is disappointed that [an extension] hasn’t come.” But there’s a reason for the front office’s hesitation. Young’s efficiency has dipped, his defense remains suspect, and Atlanta hasn’t won a playoff series since 2021. 

With new pieces to evaluate and the league’s financial landscape tightening under the new CBA, the Hawks are holding their cards close. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the team wants to see how this roster performs before committing long-term. From Young’s camp, the message is clear that he’s watching too. His player option for 2026-27 gives him flexibility, and multiple teams are reportedly monitoring his situation closely.

The next six months could define the Hawks’ future. If Porzingis stays healthy and doesn’t suffer from the same viral mysterious illness he did last season, while the team makes a playoff push, then the extension conversation might come easy. If not, the Hawks could be forced to choose between a rebuild and risking losing their franchise centerpiece.

Trae Young isn’t one to stir drama. He prefers his game to speak for itself. But make no mistake, his comments this offseason are layered. He’s excited, and he’s also waiting. Porzingis might not realize it, but he’s carrying more than just the hopes of a playoff run. He might be carrying the key to keeping Atlanta’s star right where he is.