Blockbuster Trae Young Trade Idea After Surprise NBA Rumor

The NBA rumor mill never stops churning, and our latest reminder of that comes just five days into the new calendar year.

On Monday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Trae Young and his agents are "working with" the Atlanta Hawks on a trade away from the franchise that originally drafted him back in 2018.

This season, the NBA trade market centers around a plethora of point guards. The Hawks got a lengthy look when Young sat for an extended period with a knee injury.

Seeking a potential trade partner, we turn our attention to the Western Conference. The LA Clippers are on a run, riding a scorching hot streak from Kawhi Leonard, but before that, the franchise was a trainwreck. James Harden, 36, remains a highly productive lead guard, but he's heading into a player option year in which only $13.3 million is guaranteed for 2026-27.

Young also has a player option, fully guaranteed at almost $49 million. The Hawks, according to multiple player agents and competing executives, are not eager to have that amount on their cap next season.

Neither franchise seems likely to retain its guards beyond their current contracts, motivating their agents to seek new homes via trade. The following is a two-team trade idea that sends Harden to the Hawks and Young to the Clippers.

Full Trade Scenario

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The Atlanta Hawks receive: James Harden, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, $4.6 million trade exception (Trae Young)

The LA Clippers receive: Trae Young, $5.4 million trade exception (Bradley Beal), $2.3 million trade exception (Chris Paul)

Important Trade Notes

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The Hawks would waive injured forward N'Faly Dante before the deal (his $2 million is guaranteed because he is out for the season).

Harden approves the deal to Atlanta (he can block it per the One-Year Bird rule), receiving a $2.3 million trade bonus. Young's trade kicker is limited to just under $400,000 (since a player cannot earn a bonus that would put his salary over the maximum).

The Hawks take in Harden for Young, generating the $4.6 million trade exception. Beal is acquired via the pre-existing Bogdan Bogdanović trade exception, and Paul is on a minimum contract.

The Clippers acquire Young using Harden's expanded trade exception, which is permitted for teams below the first apron (set at $195.9 million). L.A. gets back to 14 players via prorated minimum contracts. The Hawks remain under the luxury tax.

Why the Atlanta Hawks Do It

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The market for Young is said to be weak. An acquiring franchise needs to assume he will hit its books at almost $49 million, unless it is willing to give him a new, longer-term deal via an opt-out.

None of the teams that project to have cap room this summer (Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards) are expected to pursue the 27-year-old under his current contract.

While Harden is much older than Young, he may be open to an extend-and-trade that would void his option for 2026-27 before the deal. With the $2.3 million trade bonus, he may be open to a deal adding $62–65 million over two additional seasons (through 2027-28). Securing a new deal is Harden's primary motivation for approving the trade.

Even with Beal, who is out for the season with a hip injury, Atlanta would have more financial flexibility than keeping Young with his option. Historically, the Hawks won't pay luxury taxes.

If the team chooses to chase Anthony Davis at the trade deadline, a multi-team deal sending Kristaps Porziņģis and Zaccharie Risacher to the Dallas Mavericks is conceptually possible, provided Atlanta is willing to go into the tax next season.

Paul is included to make the numbers work. The Hawks can let the future Hall of Famer conclude his career in Atlanta, or let him go into free agency to join another team for his final season.

Why the LA Clippers Do It

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If Leonard continues to average around 40 points per game on remarkably efficient shooting through February, the Clippers may choose to hold at the deadline. More realistically, the team will face the prospect of limited postseason potential and looming decisions in a vital offseason.

If the plan isn't to retain Harden, L.A. can get to cap room, but the list of viable targets may not appeal. Competing executives anticipate the Clippers intend to hit the 2027 free-agent market after Leonard's contract expires, with the flexibility to sign two max players.

Buying low on the multi-year All-Star's contract without giving up draft compensation and getting younger at the position could be a boon for the Clippers. His option doesn't negatively impact the 2027 cap-room target, and if Young flourishes, he could be a long-term fixture.

The Clippers were in miserable shape before their most recent stretch. Assuming the team levels off in play-in territory, focusing more on the big-picture puzzle should be the priority.

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