While most of the league’s stars are on yachts or summer tours, Trae Young seems to be reminiscing about older times. Back in July 2021, during the Skinz League Pro‑Am in Oklahoma City, Young decided to lace up in front of a packed gym. Now, a clip from the same match is going viral again.
With five seconds on the clock and his squad trailing 90-88, Young drained a filthy buzzer-beating three. Right in the face of his opponent, Davaunta Thomas. It was the kind of shot you expect to see in Madison Square Garden or TD Garden…not a summer league in OKC. But that was not the clip that caught everyone’s eyes.
Ballislife posted the moment on Twitter, captioning, “Trae Young shuts up trash talker in hostile game..” Twitter erupted. But one thing got lost in the noise…the actual vibe of the event. After the clip took off, Young hopped on X formerly Twitter to set the record straight, “I still don’t know why I told them kids to ‘guess’ his name & it wasn’t hostile, just another day in a packed gym!”
I still don’t know why I told them kids to “guess” his name
& it wasn’t hostile, just another day in a packed gym!
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) July 10, 2025
For those who missed it, the now-viral moment shows Young, pointing to Thomas mid-game, saying, “What’s his name?” as the crowd were heckling the NBA All-Star. It looked heated…like something straight out of a playoff game. But according to Young, it wasn’t that deep. Just a high-stakes summer game. Just pure competitive fire. And if we’re being real, pure entertainment.
The Hawks guard is still putting on a show everywhere he goes a reminder that “Ice Trae” doesn’t have an offseason. Meanwhile, with Atlanta wrapping up what’s been an aggressive and ambitious offseason. Adding Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, and Asa Newell. All eyes are now on one final, massive decision: Trae Young’s extension.
What is the situation with Hawks extension plan for Young
As of this week, Young is eligible to sign a four-year, $228.6 million max contract extension. And while many assume it’s just a matter of when, not if, some insiders are starting to question that. On 92.9 The Game, Carl Dukes and Mike Bell asked the big question, “What’s the likelihood that Trae Young resigns for a lesser amount?” Bell followed with a dose of reality, “Is he happy with what’s going on?”
Fair question. Because while Young recruited Kennard and Alexander-Walker himself…and cryptically posted an “” emoji on X. There’s still been no formal commitment. Is he waiting to see how the pieces fit together? Is the organization hesitating to go all-in on another max deal? Porziņģis offers elite rim protection and stretch. Jalen Johnson is healthy. Dyson Daniels brings All-Defense-level instincts. Kennard adds elite spacing. Add in rising star Zaccharie Risacher and you have arguably the deepest Hawks team of the Trae Young era.
Jan 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) reacts after forward Jalen Johnson (1) scores a basket and draws the foul against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
This is exactly why John Hollinger of The Athletic believes the Hawks shouldn’t rush to hand Young the max, “I don’t think paying Young his max extension is realistic, especially given his limited trade value at that price…” Instead, he proposes a more measured deal…something like three years, $155 million. With optionality for both sides heading into 2028. In theory, it lets Young prove he can win while giving the team some long-term flexibility.
And that’s really the core issue here: Is Trae Young a winning player? For all of Young’s highlight reels and buzzer-beaters, the cold truth is this: since 2018. He has made the playoffs three times and lost in the first round twice. His defense is a known liability. And despite having talent around him, Collins, Capela, Bogdanović, Heurter, Hunter, Murray, the Hawks have barely stayed afloat. But this season? He’s out of excuses. Porziņģis spaces the floor. Johnson and Daniels are elite defenders. Kennard is a sniper. Risacher is only getting better. The Hawks have built the right roster.
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