In the world of NBA basketball, few names generate as much excitement and anticipation as Trae Young. The Atlanta Hawks guard has been a standout performer since his debut, and his latest stats are proof of his continued dominance on the court. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, fans and analysts alike are closely watching how Young is shaping up this year.
Trae Young’s Career Overview
Trae Young was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2018, and from that moment on, he has been a force to be reckoned with on the court. His career statistics speak volumes about his impact. In 407 games played, Young has accumulated an impressive total of 13,883 minutes on the court. His offensive prowess is undeniable, with 3,299 field goals made out of 7,559 attempts, boasting an impressive shooting percentage of 43.6%. Additionally, his free throw skills are top-notch, sinking 2,722 shots out of 3,118 attempts, further solidifying his status as a clutch performer in critical moments.
Beyond his scoring capability, Young has proven to be a well-rounded player, contributing significantly in other areas of the game. With 1,451 total rebounds to his name, including 1,188 defensive rebounds and 263 offensive rebounds, Young shows his versatility and willingness to do the dirty work on the court. His passing skills are also on full display, as evidenced by his impressive 3,868 assists, showcasing his ability to elevate his teammates’ performance and create scoring opportunities.
Defensively, Young is no slouch either, tallying up 414 steals and 62 blocks throughout his career. His tenacity and quick hands make him a threat on the defensive end, capable of disrupting plays and turning defense into offense in the blink of an eye. Beyond the stats, Young’s hustle and determination on defense set him apart as a true two-way player in the league.
When it comes to putting points on the board, Young is a scoring machine, amassing an impressive total of 10,379 points in his career so far. His ability to light up the scoreboard with his scoring outbursts and clutch performances has made him a fan favorite and a player to watch every time he takes the court.
Recent Performance Highlights
As the 2025-26 season continues, Trae Young has been making waves with his consistent performance. In a recent game against the Orlando Magic, Young showcased his leadership and scoring ability. He scored six of his 25 points in the final 46 seconds, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 111-107 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday night. Franz Wagner scored a game-high 27 points for Orlando, which led by 12 early in the fourth quarter but shot only 7 for 21 in the final period.
Young’s performance was crucial in turning the tide of the game. He scored the final five points of a 15-0 Hawks run midway through the fourth quarter that wiped out Orlando’s 93-81 lead. Atlanta led by as many as five with less than three minutes left, but Wendell Carter Jr.’s two free throws tied it at 105 with 54 seconds left. Jalen Suggs’ layup tied it again after Young scored the Hawks’ final field goal. Four free throws by Young completed the scoring in the final 21 seconds.
Despite some challenges, Young’s performance was a testament to his resilience and skill. The Hawks made only two of their first 20 3-point shots and finished 8 for 29 (27.6%). The Magic missed all seven of their 3-point shots in the final quarter and made 9 of 32 (28.1%) overall.
Contract Situation and Future Outlook
While Young’s on-court performance is impressive, off the court, there is a significant discussion surrounding his contract situation. With just one guaranteed season left on his contract worth around $46 million, Young is seeking a longer-term deal. De’Aaron Fox of the San Antonio Spurs recently agreed to a maximum value deal that should come in at around $229 million over four seasons. However, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, a similar announcement for Young reportedly isn’t in the cards.
This situation has sparked some frustration among fans and analysts. Young recently replied to Micah Parsons in a cross-sports negotiating solidarity moment, tweeting/xeeting: “We all want to be paid what we’re worth.” Senior ESPN writer Marc J. Spears had this to say about the situation on a recent episode of NBA Today: “Trae has done a lot to show that he’s invested in the Hawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, (Luke) Kennard, he convinced them to sign with the Hawks. Instead of going to the Jordan (Brand event in Greece) this summer, he came to Summer League and he got to meet with (new senior VP of basketball operations) Bryson Graham. […] What I’m hearing now at this point – and you can tell by Trae’s tweet, and I saw him during the Finals – I think he’s disappointed that it hasn’t come, it hasn’t been offered. So don’t be surprised if he plays this out and sees what happens next summer.”
Despite the media consternation, there is little reason to be hung up on the contractual future of Young at this point in time. If it were late June 2026, I might be playing a different tune, but in an offseason of renewed good vibes, don’t spend your energy harshing those same vibes.
Why It’s Too Early to Be Concerned
There are several reasons why it’s way too early to have heartburn over the future of Young in Atlanta. First, the Hawks and Young can work out an extension at any time during the season. This situation is unlike the Dyson Daniels extension talks where, by virtue of him entering his fourth NBA season as a former first-round draftee, if the sides don’t reach an agreement by October, then talks have to be tabled until next offseason. In contrast, the Hawks and their star player can continue to have dialogue over his contract throughout the season.
Trae Young does hold a bit of leverage in terms of being able to pick up or decline his player option at any point, but I would imagine he wants to make basketball the central focus once the games get underway. Young is an ultimate professional, and despite an official listing of Achilles tendinitis for the majority of last season, he suited up for 76 regular season games plus the two Play-In Tournament games. He rarely has an issue with being available for the Hawks regardless of whatever firestorm is happening off the court or in the front office.
The Hawks are right to see Young as less than a max player and hold their ground. The team has made their stance obvious at this point: they don’t see him as a no-brainer full maximum salary player, especially once you consider that this deal would take him well into his 30s as an undersized guard. Young’s shooting efficiency has yet to rebound to the heights he hit in his 2021-22 season when he triple slashed 46/38/90 (field goal percentage/three-point percentage/free throw percentage) – good for a 60% true shooting percentage, then seven percentage points greater than league average. In the three seasons since, he has yet to approach that superstar-level scoring punch – with a particular worry about his rapidly declining ability to score in the paint.
Winning cures all, and this team is built to win now. Even if this turns out to be an ‘audition’ season for the franchise to prove to Young that they’re building something exciting, you couldn’t have asked for a better offseason towards that end. A lot has been written about how exceptional the offseason has been.
There are ways to move on gracefully — should it get to that point. This recently restructured front office, led by general manager Onsi Saleh, has already proven to move in shrewd manner. The brass has used mechanisms like the traded player exception (TPE) and the non-taxpayer midlevel exception (MLE) just this offseason to add talent to the roster, so should things turn south in this relationship, I have confidence that they’ll know how to pivot as best as possible. Instead of letting Trae Young walk in free agency with no return, one can imagine sign-and-trade scenarios can come into play, for example.
Conclusion
Trae Young’s latest stats are a testament to his continued dominance in the NBA. From his impressive scoring and playmaking abilities to his defensive contributions, Young has consistently shown why he is one of the most exciting players to watch. While there may be some uncertainty regarding his contract situation, it’s important to remember that the season is still young, and there’s plenty of time for things to unfold.
As the 2025-26 season progresses, fans will be eager to see how Young performs and whether he can lead the Hawks to success. With his talent, determination, and unwavering passion for the game, there’s no doubt that Trae Young is destined for greatness in the NBA. Stay tuned for more updates on his journey and the latest developments in the league.



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