No hyperbole is necessary when saying that the Atlanta Hawks are inching closer to one of the most important decisions in franchise history. Trae Young will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2026, with a $48,967,380 player option he's widely expected to decline for the 2026-27 season.
With this in mind, the Hawks have less than a year to decide whether or not Young factors into their long-term plans—and who they'll replace him with if he doesn't.
Atlanta has spent the past five seasons toeing the midway line, with just two examples of severe pendulum swings.