Trae Young’s contract extension represents more than just a contract dispute - it represents an inflection point for star players and the contracts they receive. Since the salary cap explosion following the 2016 TV deal, players of Young’s caliber have been given max extensions without second thought. You still see this practice employed by many teams across the league, most recently by the Spurs in the De’Aaron Fox extension this summer.
The recent CBA, however, levies extreme penalties on teams with such reckless spending habits. The Atlanta Hawks find themselves with a roster that could become quite expensive if they choose to re-sign Dyson Daniels, Kristaps Porzingis, and Trae Young.