Could the Hawks hit pause on a Trae Young extension?

The Atlanta Hawks are widely regarded as winners of the offseason due to General Manager Onsi Saleh's moves. Key acquisitions include Kristaps Porzingis, who addresses the team's biggest need by providing a legitimate second scoring option, Nickeil Alexander-Walker for elite perimeter defense and shooting, and Luke Kennard to significantly boost floor spacing. These additions dramatically improve the team's depth and versatility.

Despite the successful moves, the Hawks still have offseason needs. They could pursue another big man, with Al Horford mentioned as a possibility, and require a veteran presence to back up point guard Trae Young, as 2023 first-round pick Kobe Bufkin isn't yet considered ready for the full-time backup role.

The most significant remaining business involves contract extensions for Kristaps Porzingis, Dyson Daniels, and Trae Young. While the Hawks may want to evaluate Porzingis' fit and consider his injury history before a long-term deal, both Daniels and Young are viewed as core pieces the team likely wants to secure. Notably, despite Trae Young's visible commitment to the organization – including turning down a trip to support the Hawks' Summer League team – there have been no substantive contract negotiations between him and the Hawks.

The lack of immediate movement on Young's extension isn't seen as a cause for concern. Saleh has been extremely busy reshaping the roster, clearly building a team that complements Young's strengths. Young, in turn, has embraced a more vocal leadership role. All indications point to alignment between the front office and their franchise player, making a future agreement that keeps Young in Atlanta long-term seem inevitable.