Hawks Land James Harden Clippers Get Trae Young

Merlin sees teams quietly circling two high-value point guards. With Trae Young facing a nearly $49 million player option and the Hawks unwilling to carry that hit, and James Harden entering a player-option year with only $13.3 million guaranteed, agents are shopping both. A proposed swap would send Harden, Bradley Beal and Chris Paul to Atlanta for Young, with trade exceptions smoothing the math. The Clippers, once a "trainwreck," would gain a younger lead guard and cap flexibility, while Atlanta buys short-term production and payroll relief. Merlin senses the gamble. Harden is older but could accept an extend-and-trade; Beal is hurt and Paul is a veteran presence more than a long-term piece. The market for Young is thin, so the Clippers would be betting on upside over stability. Expect quiet negotiations, tests of Harden’s willingness, and the Hawks weighing playoff push versus long-term cost control.