The Atlanta Hawks’ 2025-2026 NBA season has quickly become a referendum on both the future of their franchise and the star power of Trae Young. With a new general manager, Onsi Saleh, at the helm, the Hawks have placed Young under the microscope, making it clear that his performance this season will determine whether he’s offered a four-year, $229 million max contract extension. It’s a high-stakes situation, and all eyes are on the dynamic point guard as he navigates both personal and team adversity.
Young’s journey this season hasn’t been straightforward. After a promising start with a revamped roster, the 26-year-old guard suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for nearly six weeks, forcing him to miss 22 games at a crucial juncture of the campaign. The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time: the Hawks were eager to see how Young would mesh with a fully developed guard core and a legitimate co-star, hoping these upgrades would finally unlock the team’s potential and silence critics who argued Young was a one-man show.
When Young finally returned to the hardwood on December 18, 2025, against the Charlotte Hornets, his performance was a mix of promise and rust. He tallied 8 points and 10 assists in just 20 minutes, shooting a flawless 3-for-3 from two-point range but missing all five of his three-point attempts. While the outside shooting woes were apparent, Young’s playmaking shone through, and fans could see glimpses of the star Atlanta desperately needs him to be. The hope was palpable: once Young regained his shooting rhythm, he could reestablish himself as a legitimate superstar in the league.
That optimism wasn’t misplaced. Over the next three games following his return, Young’s numbers exploded. He averaged 29 points, 10 assists, and a steal per contest, all while shooting a blistering 54.2% from beyond the arc in just under 29 minutes a night. It was the kind of offensive output that had the Hawks’ front office and fanbase buzzing. Yet, despite Young’s individual brilliance, Atlanta couldn’t buy a win, dropping all four games since his return. The culprit? A decimated center rotation that left the Hawks painfully thin in the paint.
The team’s big man woes have been hard to ignore. Kristaps Porzingis, expected to anchor the frontcourt, has missed 11 of the last 12 games, and third-string center N’Faly Dante suffered a devastating ACL tear during the G League Winter Showcase. With only Onyeka Okongwu left to man the five, Atlanta’s defense and rebounding have suffered, making it nearly impossible to close out games, no matter how well Young performs.
Saturday night’s matchup against the New York Knicks offered another dose of reality for the Hawks. In a tightly contested 128-125 loss, Young struggled to find his shot, finishing with just 9 points on 2-for-9 shooting from the field and 0-for-4 from three-point range. He did, however, dish out 10 assists and collect two steals in 31 minutes, demonstrating his continued value as a playmaker even when his scoring touch deserts him. The Knicks’ defense proved suffocating, and Young failed to record a double-double, a rare occurrence for the prolific guard.
“Young didn’t even record a double-double after going a meager 2-for-9 from the floor and 0-for-4 from three-point range, as he couldn’t do much against the Knicks’ suffocating defense,” reported CBS Sports, summing up the frustrations of the night. Still, Young’s ability to facilitate and get his teammates involved kept Atlanta in the contest until the final buzzer.
Since coming back from his knee injury, Young’s performances have oscillated between spectacular and subdued. In two of his five games since returning, he’s failed to score 10 or more points. That inconsistency has raised eyebrows, but many around the league expect him to improve as he shakes off the rust and logs more minutes. The Hawks, meanwhile, are left to wonder whether these fluctuations are merely short-term setbacks or symptoms of a larger issue.
For GM Onsi Saleh, the calculus is complicated. Young’s statistical output—especially when he’s hot from three—makes a compelling argument for a max extension. He’s one of the league’s best passers and can beat anyone off the dribble. But his defensive shortcomings and the team’s overall struggles muddy the waters. As one analysis put it, “If he can shoot the three at an above-average rate, he will be a star. If not, he will again find himself blamed for a mediocre team performance.”
It’s also worth noting that Young’s shooting from deep is under the microscope like never before. The Hawks’ fate, and Young’s contract prospects, may hinge on whether he can maintain his recent hot streak from beyond the arc. For now, his 54.2% three-point shooting over the three-game stretch is encouraging, but Saturday’s cold snap against the Knicks is a reminder that consistency is key.
Atlanta’s woes aren’t all on Young’s shoulders, of course. The center rotation’s collapse has left the team vulnerable inside, with Porzingis’ extended absence and Dante’s season-ending injury putting immense pressure on Okongwu and the rest of the lineup. The lack of interior defense and reliable rebounding has turned every game into an uphill battle, no matter how well the backcourt performs.
Still, Young’s value to the Hawks is undeniable. Even when he isn’t scoring in bunches, his court vision and passing keep Atlanta’s offense humming. The front office must weigh his individual brilliance against the team’s collective struggles, all while keeping an eye on the future and the looming decision about his contract extension.
As the season progresses, the spotlight will only intensify. Can Trae Young find the consistency needed to justify a $229 million investment? Will the Hawks’ injury woes subside in time for a playoff push? And perhaps most importantly, can Atlanta finally build a contender around their enigmatic point guard, or will this season be remembered as a missed opportunity?
For now, the questions remain unanswered. But one thing’s for sure: with Trae Young back on the court and the stakes higher than ever, every game feels like a make-or-break audition—both for the player and the franchise. The action continues, and the basketball world is watching closely.
