Trae Young’s Player Option, Kerr Dismisses Warriors Shake-Up, Partizan Targets Payne as Beasley Draws Global Interest
young-option-kerr-warriors-partizan-payne-beasley-market
ATLANTA — League executives who spoke with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto expect Hawks guard Trae Young to pick up his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Young could become an unrestricted free agent next summer by declining the option, or he could sign an extension that removes it entirely. For now, Atlanta has made no push for a new contract. Young has appeared in only five games because of a knee injury, and the organization wants to evaluate his fit with the current roster once he returns, according to the report.
Skepticism around the league will persist until Young proves he is healthy and the Hawks gain momentum, the executives told Scotto. A strong finish this season could alter the outlook.
Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO — Head coach Steve Kerr told The Athletic’s Nick Friedell he does not believe Golden State needs a major roster move to address its inconsistency. Kerr said the team’s erratic play feels similar to last season before what he described as the “Jimmy Butler addition,” but he emphasized that the solution this year is “already in the building.”
“Last year I felt like we had to make a move,” Kerr said. “This year I don’t think that’s the case.”
The coach acknowledged the difficulty of allocating minutes on a deep roster. While he is comfortable using 14 or 15 players, game nights realistically allow for only 10 or 11, meaning someone will regularly be left out.
International
BELGRADE — Serbian club Partizan Belgrade remains active in free agency and has expressed interest in guard Cameron Payne, sources told Scotto. The team was previously linked to Malik Beasley, who continues to attract attention from multiple EuroLeague contenders — including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich — as well as Chinese Basketball Association clubs Liaoning, Guangdong, and Shanxi. Beasley’s market “remains very much alive,” according to the report.
Source: Hoops Wire
