Hawks begin season with Trae Young without extension.

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young will enter the 2025-26 season without a contract extension in place, a development that leaves his long-term status in Atlanta uncertain as the regular season opens later this month. League sources said the franchise and Young did not reach a new deal over the summer, and the point guard responded to the news with a brief social media post reading, "Its just business," followed by a laughing emoji. The post and subsequent fan reaction intensified speculation about his future even as Young participates in preseason activities.

Young, 27, is in the final guaranteed year of his contract and is scheduled to earn roughly 46 million for 2025-26. He holds a player option worth just under 49 million for 2026-27 and remains extension-eligible; if he declines the option and the sides do not agree to a new deal, he could become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Team officials declined to extend a new long-term contract before the season, opting instead to evaluate a revamped roster in regular-season play.

Atlanta spent the summer reshaping the roster around Young, adding Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard and acquiring an extra...