Hawks Won’t Extend Trae Young Before 2025-26

Merlin hears the Hawks won’t extend Trae Young before the 2025–26 season. Atlanta plans to "wait to evaluate how a new group meshes" after adding Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker and Luke Kennard. Young, making about $46M this year and eligible for a four‑year, $229M extension, has stirred contract buzz with cryptic posts — "This why you pay the man early..." — and admitted maybe some "disappointment." Merlin senses the patience is strategic: Porziņģis wants to "see how the year goes," and the front office prefers clarity over rushing a mega‑deal. If the Hawks look like real contenders, they’ll likely move to lock Young up before his price spikes; if chemistry falters, Young could test free agency or turn up the pressure with more public signs.