The Atlanta Hawks just traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, and no draft picks. That is a tough reality to let sink in, as a four-time All-Star, who averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 assists last season, got moved for a 34-year-old veteran guard, a rotational wing, and absolutely zero draft capital.
The Hawks essentially executed a cap dump for a star they fundamentally didn't want anymore, clearing millions in cap space to pursue other moves.
Looking at that underwhelming return the Hawks received for Young, it feels like the LA Clippers are heading in the same direction with their aging core. If a 27-year-old All-Star point guard in his prime only nets McCollum and Kispert, what exactly is the market going to be for a now 34-year-old Kawhi Leonard with an injury history? Or 36-year-old James Harden, who's visibly running out of gas?
The front office needs to wake up and realize that holding onto aging assets waiting for the perfect offer is how you end up with nothing, just like the Hawks did with Young.
The market for the Clippers' stars might be nonexistent
The Trae Young trade exposed an uncomfortable truth: the NBA trade market for expensive, high-usage stars is essentially nonexistent right now. Teams aren't willing to give up multiple unprotected first-round picks and young talent for players making above and around $40+ million. The Atlanta Hawks learned this the hard way, settling for a package that wouldn't have been acceptable three years ago.
The LA Clippers are facing the same problem. Kawhi Leonard is making $50 million this season and has missed significant time with injuries throughout his career. On the other hand, James Harden is earning $39 million while playing heavy minutes that are clearly wearing him down.
As for Ivica Zubac, multiple teams have expressed interest, with the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics among those making inquiries. Earlier in the season, it would have taken at least two first-round picks for the Clippers to consider moving him. But after watching Young depart Atlanta, does anyone actually believe Zubac will fetch two firsts when a 27-year-old All-Star point guard couldn't?
The market is telling teams like the Clippers exactly what their assets are worth: not as much as they think. The longer they wait, the worse those returns will get.
The Clippers' front office does not have much time
The Clippers are 14-23 and barely clinging to relevance in the playoff race. They do not look like the same team that won six in a row, and the vibes are completely off again. Everything looks out of place, and the defense is completely lost.
The front office is reportedly assessing whether to be buyers or sellers at the deadline, but the Trae Young trade should make that decision crystal clear: sell now while you still can. If you wait until the offseason when Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are another year older, the market will be even worse.
Reports suggest the Clippers are looking to add an impact player around Harden and Leonard to "revive their season," but that's delusional thinking. Adding a mid-tier player isn't fixing this roster's fundamental problems; it's just delaying the inevitable rebuild while burning through what little trade value remains.
Lawrence Frank must operate around what he has
The first move that must transpire pertains to a trade surrounding Ivica Zubac. He's the only asset with real value on a team-friendly contract. Teams are interested, and if the Clippers can get at least one first-round pick, that's better than nothing.
Thereafter, Lawrence Frank must ship away Bogdan Bogdanović's contract. He's making $16 million while missing extended time with injuries and providing zero value. Frank's best bet is to attach a pick to his deal and upgrade his roster spot.
Simultaneously, Frank must resolve the Chris Paul situation. It's been over a month since they sent him home, and he's still on the roster taking up a spot. Trade him for anything: a second-round pick, a future protected first, literally whatever opens space so they can sign depth.
Next, before the trade deadline is said and done, LA must explore deals on James Harden. This is the nuclear option, but it might be necessary. Harden is clearly running out of gas playing 35+ minutes per night, and his value will only decline as the season progresses. If a team offers a first-round pick and an expiring contract, the Clippers should seriously consider it.
Lastly, there needs to be a serious commitment to playing the young guys. Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Kobe Sanders need real minutes. The NBA is a young man’s game, and the Clippers need their athletic legs to compete. Sitting prospects behind old veterans is negligence, and the Clippers can’t afford it anymore.
The Clippers should learn from the mistake made by the Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks waited too long to trade Trae Young, watching his value crater as the team struggled.
By the time they finally agreed, the best offer on the table was CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. It's a cautionary tale about what happens when you overvalue your own assets and miss the market window.
The LA Clippers are on the same path. They have aging superstars with declining trade value, a roster that doesn't work, and no clear path to contention. The difference is they still have time to avoid their inevitable fate, but only if they act now.
The NBA trade market has essentially spoken, and it's time for the Clippers to listen.