When discussing the best point guards in the NBA, Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young is undoubtedly towards the top of that list.
He has thrived throughout his time in Atlanta, cementing himself as one of the league’s elite thanks to his exceptional passing and scoring ability. His performance could earn him a massive pather with the Hawks or elsewhere.
Will Trae Young Get a Max Extension?
Teams across the NBA are closely monitoring Young’s situation. The star guard will be eligible for a four-year, $229 million contract extension from the Hawks. If signed, this would make him one of the highest-paid players at his position.
But if he doesn’t ink a deal, he will be the next superstar to get traded in the offseason.
Young is putting together another strong season with the Hawks, averaging 23.9 points and 11.5 assists while shooting 40.2% from the field and 32.2% from behind the arc. He currently leads the league in assists, proving he is among the best passers in the NBA.
Despite Young’s brilliance on the court, the Hawks find themselves in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference as the No. 7 seed with a record of 32-35, raising concerns about the team’s long-term direction.
There is no doubt the Hawks have a talented roster, including 2024 first-overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, who is, unfortunately, out for the rest of the season after suffering a left shoulder injury, and Dyson Daniels, whose emergence as a defensive juggernaut has not gone unnoticed.
However, the Hawks have struggled to compete with some of the best in the Eastern Conference, getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs in two of the last three seasons.
Trae Young’s Ascension as Superstar
There is no doubt about Young’s play. Since being drafted by the Hawks in 2018, Young’s emergence as a star has been exciting for Hawks fans. His ability to dominate the game through his passing and shooting is undeniable.
Given the right pieces around him, he can make a significant impact, just as he did when he led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, where they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks.
It seems that any team would only benefit from having Young on their roster. The only question at this stage is whether the Hawks will continue to reap the rewards or if another team is willing to pay the steep price to significantly improve its roster by adding the star point guard.