It was a frustrating season for the Atlanta Hawks.
After a strong start to the season the team lost its second best player, Jalen Johnson, to injury. They flamed out in the play-in tournament losing both games and missing the playoffs altogether.
Now, a cryptic post on ‘X’ by Trae Young is just adding more fuel to the Hawks’ dumpster fire.
The Atlanta superstar posted three dark photos on social media with the caption:
“ATL 7Years Down & Last I won’t be in the postseason! ~Love”
ATL🩵
7Years Down & Last I won’t be in the postseason!
~Love🙏🏽❤️🏀❄️ pic.twitter.com/RsTNVzjCzk— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 22, 2025
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The caption refers to Young’s seven-year career, where he’s made the playoffs each season except this one.
At first glance it seems like an innocent end-of-season post. Young is giving love to Atlanta and making the statement that this will be the only season he’ll miss the playoffs.
But that’s exactly the issue. Young used “I” instead of “we” to describe the postseason absence.
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This comes amid rumors that ‘Ice Trae’ could be traded if the Hawks want to move in a different direction. He has one more year on his contract followed by a $49 million player option in 2026-27.
However, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported this week on The Dan Patrick Show that Young wants to be a part of Atlanta’s future.
Maybe the word choice was an afterthought by the Hawks’ star. Maybe it was meticulously placed to hint at his potential departure.
Either way, Atlanta fans will await an offseason that will likely shake up the future of the team.
