It didn’t take Trae Young and the Hawks long to come to an agreement on a huge deal that will keep him in Atlanta for quite a while.
Shortly after negotiations could begin at midnight Tuesday, an agreement was reached on a five-year max extension, according to a person familiar with the situation.
In the best-case scenario, the deal is worth $207 million, if Young makes an All-NBA team next season. If not, it will be around $170 million. As the Hawks aim to be contenders in the Eastern Conference for years to come, this deal will lock Young up as the key cog in that goal. It was first reported by ESPN. As NBA free agency progresses, deals can’t be officially announced until 12:01 p.m. Friday.
This isn’t a surprising move and negotiations weren’t expected to be lengthy, as Young is the face of the franchise and led the Hawks on a sensational playoff run last season, which included demolishing the Knicks in the first round and knocking off the No. 1-seed 76ers in the second round. In Year 3, Young silenced any doubts on if he’s a “winning player.”
With a better supporting cast around him and Nate McMillan at the helm, Young led the Hawks from 20-47 the season before to winning two games in the Eastern Conference finals. He averaged 25.3 points per game and 9.4 assists per game and dominated in the postseason, until a bone bruise in his right foot slowed him down.
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