The 2018 draft-day trade-swap between the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks took an unprecedented turn; Luka Doncic, as everyone knows, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Hawks, who have had Trae Young since a rookie, are eyeing the market for a new home that could be on the LA Clippers for expiring contracts, a simple asking price that is staring them down.
Reports surfaced that Atlanta is interested in CJ McCollum of the Washington Wizards. His availability looks nice, as does his veteran production, but the Hawks want McCollum’s expiring contract to free their books of a significant salary.
The Wizards have emerged as a legitimate potential trade destination for Atlanta's Trae Young, @TheSteinLine has learned, in a deal construction centered around CJ McCollum's expiring contract.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 5, 2026
More to come here: https://t.co/i9CobUR55T pic.twitter.com/k9xOa2DZas
However, why hunt McCollum, an older guard who has limitations, when the Clippers have younger options who are also expiring? Surely, Lawrence Frank would love to have Young for several guys who will likely not be around next season.
Additionally, Marc Stein of ‘The Stein Line’ mentioned the Hawks will have a reward pending for the Wizards that LA does not want but needs.
The Clippers could send two former Hawks directly back to Atlanta
Though CJ McCollum is averaging an appealing 18.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds, his being inserted into the Atlanta Hawks’ backcourt damages Jalen Johnson’s shot attempts, the flow Nickeil Alexander-Walker plays with, and slows the pace Quin Snyder has excelled in this season.
Instead of looking north into the DMV area, the Hawks need to seriously scout what is available before trading the four-time All-Star yet disappointing Trae Young, who has only won two games this season; he has played 10 and lost 8.
Furthermore, the Hawks have recently been better without Young, suggesting the comfort level they have in the Alexander-Walker-Johnson duo leading the way. Hence, expiring contracts are a priority.
The LA Clippers have a former Hawk in the starting lineup in John Collins, and another who is on the bench but hurt in Bogdan Bogdanovic. They both have expiring contracts, with Bogdanovic on a team option for next season, and their combined pay is similar to Young’s.
In return, according to Marc Stein, the Hawks have an incentive to send draft capital along with Young for persuasive purposes.
That said, the Hawks’ wants are not rocket science. The Clippers must offer Collins and Bogdanovic, plus any pieces required to match the seams, and take on a generational point guard in Young, who is still in the prime of his career.