Hawks to Cut Ties With Trae Young as Atlanta Fear Worst Case Scenario, Suggests Insider

The Atlanta Hawks are approaching a make-or-break campaign that could reshape their trajectory for years to come. Trae Young, the centerpiece since 2018, has delivered a deep playoff run in 2021 and high-volume scoring, but the patience of the front office is thinning. After back-to-back seasons hovering around the play-in range, the message entering 2025–26 is simple: win now or brace for change.

This summer, the Hawks made subtle yet telling moves. They flipped veterans on expiring deals, secured an unprotected 2026 first-round pick from New Orleans, and retooled the roster around Young with Luke Kennard, Kristaps Porzingis, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker: a mix of experienced role players and proven talent. These weren’t blockbuster moves, but contingency plans. Atlanta’s brass has built a roster that can contend in an Eastern Conference weakened by the retooling of Boston, Indiana, and Milwaukee, but also has the flexibility to pivot if things unravel.

“If it goes well, Trae is going to get his money,” insider Chris Mannix explained. “Porzingis will probably be brought back, and you keep building around that core. If it doesn’t… Trae Young winds up getting traded, and you reboot with that Pelicans draft pick they got their hands on.” The remark underlines how the franchise is treading a fine line between loyalty to its star and a readiness to reset if the results disappoint.

This is a developing story.

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