Trae Young Shuts Down Trade Rumors: “I’m Not Done With Atlanta”
Trae Young is keeping things light, even amid heavy questions surrounding his future. In his latest Crooked Tea commercial, the Atlanta Hawks star teased fans with what looked like a major announcement — only to reveal a playful ad. But beyond the misdirection, his message was loud and clear: “Dude, I’m not done with Atlanta. I love Atlanta.”
This statement echoes throughout Young’s recent public comments. Despite constant speculation about his long-term future, Young continues to express loyalty to the city and the franchise that drafted him.
### A Star Focused on Winning
Trae Young’s relationship with Atlanta has always been built on mutual belief. From his rookie year, he made it clear he wanted to spend his entire career with the Hawks—but only if winning remained the priority.
“Every year teams are different,” Young said in his exit interview after last season’s Play-In loss to Chicago. “Obviously, I want to be here, but I want to win. I want to be here and win championships here.”
He doubled down on that sentiment during an episode of his *From the Point* podcast. “Everybody knows that I want to be in Atlanta,” Young said. “When I was drafted here, I said I wanted to spend my whole career here, but at the same time, I want to win. I don’t have time to waste.”
That competitive edge defines Young’s mindset entering this pivotal season. He’s coming off another elite campaign, averaging 24.2 points, 11.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game on solid efficiency. His 880 total assists ranked among the league’s best, reaffirming his status as one of the NBA’s top playmakers.
### The Contract Cloud
Young is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, worth roughly $43 million for the 2025-26 season. He’s eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension, but talks remain in a holding pattern.
Sources around the league suggest the Hawks and Young are both comfortable letting the season play out before revisiting negotiations. It’s a calculated risk for both sides.
A strong year from Atlanta could solidify Young’s place as a long-term cornerstone and lead to one of the richest extensions in franchise history. But if the team struggles or the partnership begins to sour, questions about his future could resurface quickly.
By the summer of 2026, if no deal is reached, Young would become an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
### A New Supporting Cast
The Hawks have given Young reasons to stay optimistic. This offseason, the front office added Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard, complementing the midseason emergence of Dyson Daniels, who thrived after being traded from New Orleans.
Internal growth from Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu also points toward a deeper, more balanced roster.
Atlanta currently holds the fourth-best odds to win the Eastern Conference at +900, according to FanDuel — a testament to the quiet confidence surrounding this retooled group.
For Young, that competitive promise matters. He’s made it clear that his loyalty is tied to ambition.
“I want to continue to play at a high level and win,” he said. “That’s who I’ve always been.”
### The Bottom Line
What started as a cheeky commercial turned into a powerful reminder: Trae Young isn’t done with Atlanta — not emotionally, and not competitively. His love for the city remains real, even as his career approaches a crucial crossroads.
This season won’t just define the Hawks’ direction; it could also determine whether Young’s long-stated dream of winning in Atlanta becomes reality or just the first chapter of a more complicated story.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/atlanta-hawks/trae-young-shuts-down-trade-rumors-in-latest-commercial/
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