The Los Angeles Clippers are poised to make an unexpected entrance into the burgeoning Trae Young sweepstakes.
As Young and the Atlanta Hawks intensify collaborative talks on a trade to send the point guard to a new team, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Clippers are kicking the tires on what it would take to acquire Young, a four-time All-Star who is the Hawks' all-time assists leader.
Along with the Clippers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards are all interested in Young, who now is expected to be dealt before the NBA's Feb. 5 trade deadline.
MORE: Trae Young trade destinations: Wizards, Mavericks, Hornets among best possible spots for star guard
The Clippers' reported interest in Young is particularly interesting in light of the franchise's decision to move on from Chris Paul last month.
The Clippers were in a spiral when they announced they were parting ways with Paul on Dec. 3. But since Dec. 20 though, the Clippers have a 7-1 record; Los Angeles, now at 13-22 on the season, is two games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the #10 seed in the Western Conference.
Adding Young to the backcourt with James Harden would make for an interesting pairing of two former assists champions. The Clippers' recent improvement defensively may make head coach Tyronn Lue confident that Young -- notoriously suspect at that end -- can hold his own in the Clips' system, and he'd become especially viable if he rediscovers his groove offensively.
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