James Harden and Trae Young to swap teams? US media presents a 3-for-1 trade proposal: meeting needs for a win-win outcome

On January 6th Beijing time, well-known US media Bleacher Report analyzed and suggested that Harden and Trae Young should switch teams to achieve a mutually beneficial result, proposing a 3-for-1 trade deal. Here is the related analysis and proposal—

The Clippers have been in great form lately, propelled by Leonard’s outstanding play, but prior to that, their record was dreadful. The 36-year-old Harden remains an efficient starting guard, though he holds a player option for next season, with only $13.3 million guaranteed for the 2026-27 season.

Trae Young also has a player option, with nearly $49 million fully guaranteed for next season. According to several player agents and other team executives, the Hawks are reluctant to carry such a hefty salary on their payroll next season.

Both teams seem unwilling to retain these two guards after their current contracts expire, prompting their agents to actively seek new teams via trade. The following is a trade concept involving both teams: Harden joining the Hawks and Trae Young moving to the Clippers.

Complete trade proposal

Hawks receive: James Harden, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul

Clippers receive: Trae Young

Through this trade, the Hawks will also acquire a $4.6 million trade exception (from the Trae Young deal), while the Clippers gain a $5.4 million trade exception (from the Beal deal) and a $2.3 million trade exception (from the Paul deal).

Hawks’ trade motivation

Trae Young’s trade market reportedly looks bleak. The acquiring team must take on his nearly $49 million salary unless they are willing to sign him to a new long-term deal after he opts out.

Teams expected to have salary cap space this summer (Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards) are all unwilling to acquire the 27-year-old under his current contract terms.

Although Harden is much older than Trae Young, he might be open to a sign-and-trade arrangement, waiving his 2026-27 player option before the trade. Including a $2.3 million trade bonus, he could accept a contract extension worth $62-65 million over the next two seasons (through 2027-28). Securing a new contract is the main reason Harden would agree to this trade.

Even factoring in Beal's season-ending hip injury, the Hawks have more financial flexibility than if they kept Trae Young’s player option. Historically, the Hawks have avoided paying luxury taxes.

If the Hawks intend to pursue Anthony Davis before the trade deadline, theoretically they could arrange a multi-team trade sending Porzingis and Richaun Holmes to the Mavericks, provided the Hawks are willing to pay luxury tax next season.

Including Chris Paul in the trade is to balance salaries. The Hawks can either let this future Hall of Famer finish his career in Atlanta or allow him to join another team for his final season once free agency begins.

Clippers’ trade motivation

If Leonard continues averaging around 40 points per game in February, the Clippers might choose to stand pat at the trade deadline. However, a more realistic scenario is that the team’s playoff prospects are limited, and major decisions will be made during the crucial offseason.

If the Clippers decide not to keep Harden, they can free up salary cap space, though potential targets may not be ideal. Other executives expect the Clippers to fully pursue the 2027 free agent market after Leonard’s contract expires, aiming to sign two max-level players then.

Acquiring this multiple-time All-Star guard at a relatively low cost without giving up draft picks, while also refreshing that position with a younger player, is a significant advantage for the Clippers. Trae Young’s player option won’t affect the Clippers’ goal of freeing salary space in 2027, and if he performs well, he could easily become a long-term cornerstone for the team.

Before this recent winning streak, the Clippers’ form was very poor. If the team ends up in the play-in tournament zone, focusing on long-term planning should be the top priority.