The Atlanta Hawks have chosen not to offer contract extensions to their franchise stars Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Instead, the organization plans to evaluate the team’s chemistry and performance before deciding whether to lock in their current core long-term.
While Young acknowledged that he was slightly disappointed to enter training camp without a new deal, the 27-year-old guard told Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN that he isn’t overly concerned about the situation.
“I think it’s going to be great. I’m not worried about it,” Young said. “As much as I wish it was, it’s not all in my hands and I can’t control everything. I just can only control the present. And I know if we win, everybody eats … I understand what winning can do.”
Young added that his focus remains on the team’s collective success, including helping his coach and teammates thrive.
“If certain things don’t go my way as far as injuries, health and stuff that I can’t control, that may be the man above telling me there’s another plan for me,” he continued. “I’m focused on making sure all my guys, (head coach) Quin (Snyder) included, get taken care of and succeed.”
The Hawks have battled early-season health issues, but they regained several key players in Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls, falling 128–123 to start the year 1–3.
Jalen Johnson, Porzingis, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher all returned from minor injuries and illnesses, offering a boost to Atlanta’s rotation despite the defeat.
Young remains optimistic about the team’s ceiling, praising the talent across the roster and highlighting the addition of Porzingis as a potential game-changer for his own style of play.
“I haven’t had a guy like him in the NBA,” Young said. “So I think you’ll be able to really see what different things that I can do with a guy that can pick and pop and spread the defense, spread the five man out to 30 feet.”
He also suggested that playing alongside a stretch big could unlock new dimensions of his game.
“I think you’ll be able to see a lot of different things that I haven’t been able to show in the past, too,” Young explained. “Hopefully this year I get a lot more catch-and-shoot shots, something that a lot of people don’t think I can do.”
Southeast Notes: Young, Magic, Miller, Hornets, Heat https://t.co/LOH5Memuxm pic.twitter.com/NhrTmC3iB6
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 28, 2025
