The LA Clippers are at a crucial crossroads in the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George era. They acquired the two superstars to become instant and annual title contenders, but have won just three playoff series in four years. Both are entering the final season on their contract before a player option, and the Clippers must consider splitting them up.
Owner Steve Ballmer will have zero interest in taking a step backward, especially with the team’s new arena slated to open up in time for the 2024-25 season. He will likely try to upgrade their roster before the deadline and hope his two superstars can stay healthy.
Whether or not the Clippers sign up for long-term deals with Kawhi and PG13, they should be looking for youth and talent. LA needs a point guard and would love to add a star to boost their title odds.
Can the LA Clippers get a third star around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George?
The Clippers have two first-round picks, two first-round swaps, and four second-round selections available to trade, plus five expiring contracts to use as matching salary. It is not the biggest haul on the market, but it is enough to add some youth and talent to their roster. LA does not want to decimate their depth, so they may have to get creative in any deal.
Fans have heard the James Harden rumors, but there has been little traction on a deal. Damian Lillard and Pascal Siakam are out of the Clippers price, but other All-Stars will become available as the trade deadline approaches.
The LA Clippers need a point guard and several could be available. Trae Young might be on the block if the Hawks struggle out of the gate. It may be LA’s chance to get younger and add a third star, but what would it take?
Laying out the LA Clippers proposal for Trae Young
Ice Trae has been mentioned in trade rumors for months as the Hawks are eager to become title contenders. The two-time All-Star led them to the conference finals in 2021, but they have not been able to repeat their success. Can Atlanta win with an undersized point guard who is a defensive liability? Young is one of the best playmakers and scorers in the league, but he has his flaws.
FanSided outlined four trades that could get Trae Young out of Atlanta, and it featured this shocking deal with the LA Clippers.
The Hawks receive three expiring contracts and two first-round picks for their star point guard. Atlanta needs help on the wing, but Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, and Marcus Morris Sr. are all past their primes and would have to play 25 or fewer minutes per game. Can Quinn Snyder cobble together a rotation without a trusted wing in return?
The two first-round picks are light, but it could be just enough to let the Atlanta Hawks search for another star on the trade market. They would be building around Dejounte Murray, and the added draft capital could allow them to land Pascal Siakam to form a new dynamic duo.
If the Hawks are willing to accept, should the LA Clippers acquire Trae Young?
Would the LA Clippers make this trade for Trae Young?
The Clippers have a massive hole at point guard. Russell Westbrook filled it after being bought out in February. He is back in Los Angeles, but best suited for a backup role at this point in his career. Trae Young is a superior shooter, ball-handler, and playmaker, which could help the Clippers get into serious title contention.
Ivica Zubac and Terance Mann are LA’s only two nightly rotation players who are under 30 years old. This is an aging roster that desperately needs young talent. Trae Young is only 25 and should be an All-Star for the next decade.
Grade: A
The Clippers will not do better. They are keeping their second-round picks and pick swaps, but still acquiring an All-Star point guard. This deal allows them to retain Mann and their two superstars as well. It is a cheap price to pay for one of the best offensive point guards in the game.
The deal avoids an A-plus because of Trae Young’s defensive concerns. LA will have an unstoppable offense when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy, but can they get enough stops to make a deep playoff run? This is a trade worth accepting, even if the answer is no.
Will the LA Clippers acquire a third star before February’s trade deadline? It is something to watch closely, so stay tuned.
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