“⌛” Not too long ago, Trae Young made a cryptic social media post. Fans were quick to speculate that it was about time that the 26-year-old would sign an extension. It was the day he became eligible for the new contract. Now it’s all silent. It’s been over a month since that message, but the Hawks have yet to offer the four-year, $229 million extension. So, after all the efforts to build around the point guard, is there a change of heart? The four-time NBA All-Star appears to be sending signals to the team, expressing his frustration.

According to Marc Spears, Hawks standout point guard Trae Young is “disappointed” he has yet to be offered a contract extension, the ESPN insider said during a Tuesday episode of NBA Today. “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.” He added a kicker further: “So don’t be surprised at this point if he plays this out, and sees what happens next summer. ”

Ouch! Atlanta made a few interesting moves, like bringing in Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Hawks GM Onsi Saleh told reporters just how involved his star point guard has been in recruiting. “He went out there to talk to these guys,” Saleh shared. “He was great in the recruiting process.” Despite these efforts from the 26-year-old, the team is holding out to play out the contractual situation and the free agency market for the next season. So what did Trae Young do to express himself?

He simply liked the social media post, where a fan added his photo in a Boston Celtics jersey. This indicates a clear sign of frustration and that his patience is running thin.

Since 2018, he has been with the team; on one hand, the loyalty needs to be rewarded. Young might be expecting a Devin Booker-type deal, where the Suns offered their star guard a two-year, $145 million maximum contract extension with the franchise through the 2029-30 season. The team indicated with this that, irrespective of the result, they are building around Book. So, are the Hawks missing out by not extending their 4x All-Star guard?

Trae Young showed his commitment with his actions

It’s not that the Hawks’ front office hasn’t been vocal about the contract situation of Young. “Me and him spoke the other day, and he’s just locked in for this season coming up. We’re both locked in,” GM Saleh told reporters on June 23. But these words seem to have no follow-up. Which is completely opposite of what Trae Young has been doing this offseason. First, he was already very much involved with the recruitment, which he even confirmed on his YouTube channel.

He personally called Alexander-Walker and Kennard. “Yeah. I talked to both of them on the phone; I was able to talk to them. I’ve known them for years. Being in this game, you connect with guys throughout the year.” The 26-year-old followed it up by skipping the Michael Jordan brand event. Yes, Young chose to skip the lavish “Board of Greatness” anniversary celebration in Greece and went straight to Las Vegas. Why? To be with the team for the Atlanta Hawks’ Summer League games.

He was courtside with Hawks brass, which again indicated a strong bond, but it seems that commitment is now up in the air. “I’m so stuck in the moment right now… focusing on what they wanted me to do this year by trying to build these young guys,” Young told HoopsHype. Translation? The situation is not as clear and rosy as it seemed to be.