Market Update: Clippers Reveal Asking Price for Zubac Trade, Hawks Reject Richaun Holmes + First-Round Pick for Davis

As of January 7th Beijing time, only one month remains before the trade deadline. HoopsHype, a well-known American media outlet, has gathered the latest trade news about stars such as Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Michael Porter Jr., Ivica Zubac, and teams like the Pacers, Cavaliers, Nets, Celtics, Timberwolves, Wizards, and Pelicans.

Is Trae Young’s time with the Hawks about to end?

Trae Young, a four-time All-Star and the all-time assist and three-point leader for the Atlanta Hawks, is reportedly nearing a split with the team. According to ESPN, his agency and the Hawks’ management are jointly seeking potential new teams for him, signaling that their parting may be imminent.

After contract renewal talks broke down during the offseason, league executives anticipated this outcome. Now, with the trade deadline approaching, Trae Young’s trade market is beginning to take shape.

According to Stein, the Washington Wizards have explored a trade package centered around CJ McCollum’s expiring $30.67 million contract for Trae Young. The report also notes that since Young holds a $48.97 million player option for next season, the Wizards will likely demand additional draft picks as part of the deal.

Additionally, league sources told HoopsHype that the Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Clippers are closely monitoring Trae Young’s situation.

The Bucks have been actively seeking to strengthen their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo; currently, the team averages 113.3 points per game, ranking 26th in the league. The Timberwolves are aggressively exploring the trade market league-wide to upgrade their starting point guard position. Although the Clippers have recently improved with a winning streak, their overall season start was disappointing. The team needs clarity on James Harden’s long-term role, as he holds a player option next season with a partially guaranteed $13.3 million salary that will become fully guaranteed at $42.32 million if not waived by July 11.

Amid mounting trade rumors, the 27-year-old guard is currently sidelined with a right thigh contusion, having previously suffered a medial collateral ligament injury.

Mavericks and Hawks in Trade Talks Over Davis

Recently, trade rumors between the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks have been rampant. What is the current status of negotiations?

League sources told HoopsHype that during trade talks involving Anthony Davis, the Hawks rejected including number one pick Resshae and the New Orleans Pelicans' 2026 unprotected first-round pick (acquired via the Derrick Quinn trade) as trade assets. HoopsHype learned the Hawks have made it clear that the Pelicans’ 2026 unprotected first-round pick is unlikely to be used in any trade before the deadline. Currently, the Pelicans share a 14% chance of securing the top draft pick alongside the Pacers and Kings.

At the same time, league insiders say that the Mavericks and several other teams have already inquired about trading Resshae.

The Hawks hold expiring contracts from the Mavericks that might interest Dallas in the Davis trade, including Kristaps Porzingis’ $30.73 million contract and Kennedy’s $11 million contract. Given Porzingis’ injury struggles this season, the Hawks plan to assess the trade value of these expiring contracts before the deadline.

Furthermore, the Hawks also possess the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2026 first-round pick, which could be used as leverage in trading Davis. Looking ahead, the Hawks own the lower-seeded first-round picks between the Pelicans and Bucks in 2027, a 2028 first-round pick swap option (choosing between their own pick or the lower of the Utah Jazz’s and Cavaliers’ picks), and all their first-round picks through 2032 are available for trades.

Notably, Hawks Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham has a close personal relationship with Davis, having worked together during Davis’ seven years with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Zubac’s Trade Market

Los Angeles Clippers’ 28-year-old center Ivica Zubac is attracting strong interest from multiple teams on the trade market. Especially during the Clippers’ poor start to the season with a 6-21 record, many teams called to inquire. However, with the Clippers’ recent surge winning 7 of 8 games, rumors about selling players have temporarily subsided.

League sources told HoopsHype that in early trade inquiries, other teams would need to offer at least two first-round picks for the Clippers to consider trading Zubac.

The Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics are among the teams that have explicitly expressed interest in acquiring Zubac.

Michael Porter Jr.’s Trade Value

The 27-year-old forward Michael Porter Jr. has been performing exceptionally this season, pushing hard for an Eastern Conference All-Star spot. He is averaging career highs of 25.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, shooting an impressive 49.5% from the field and 40.8% from beyond the arc.

During this career-best season, league executives have praised Porter’s development into a team’s primary scorer. Although he is expected to draw significant trade interest before the deadline, the Nets are focused on developing their young core and may retain Porter in the offseason. His contract for next season is $40.81 million, with Brooklyn aiming to upgrade the roster while also owing the Houston Rockets a 2027 draft pick swap.

Other Nets Player Trade Updates

Claxston has attracted attention from several teams, including the Pacers, seeking to improve their center position. The 26-year-old center helped the Nets build one of the league’s top defenses in December, averaging a career-high 13.5 points. His contract decreases annually, with a $23.15 million salary next season and $20.94 million in 2027-28.

Cam Thomas missed 20 games earlier due to a hamstring injury but has returned as a bench scorer, averaging 20.3 points in 21 minutes per game with a 54% field goal percentage and 38% from three. League executives believe Thomas would add even more value if he played for a more competitive team. Despite signing a one-year $6 million contract this season, he holds a no-trade clause.

League sources told HoopsHype that the Nets currently have $15.3 million in salary cap space and are willing to accept expiring contracts before the deadline in exchange for draft pick compensation.

Celtics: Tax Avoidance or Roster Strengthening?

The Celtics’ current payroll exceeds the luxury tax threshold by $12.1 million. League teams are watching whether Boston will reduce payroll to avoid repeated luxury tax penalties or opt to strengthen their roster. Despite missing star forward Jayson Tatum, the Celtics remain second in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics have been linked to trades involving centers like Zubac and are also rumored to consider trading Anfernee Simons, which might help them avoid luxury tax penalties.

According to a late November HoopsHype report, league sources revealed the Celtics are not in a rush to reduce their luxury tax bill, having budgeted for it, but would consider moves to bring payroll below the threshold if the right trade opportunity arises.

However, the Celtics are unwilling to give up future first-round picks to trade Simons. Now in the final year of a $27.68 million contract, Simons serves as a bench player averaging 13.5 points and shooting 39.6% from three. HoopsHype previously reported that the Milwaukee Bucks have shown interest in Simons.

If the Celtics decide to trade Simons to avoid luxury tax, could a deal with the Nets or other teams be possible?

In any trade involving Simons, the Celtics do not want to take on long-term contracts. Therefore, acquiring players like Terance Mann, who has a combined salary of $31.5 million over the next two seasons, does not fit Boston’s team-building philosophy. Instead, players like Daron Sharp and Ziaire Williams, each with a $6.25 million team option next season, are more likely to interest the Celtics. League sources say Boston showed interest in signing Sharp this summer to compete for the starting center role but could only offer a minimum salary contract at that time.

Nets guard Cam Thomas recently returned from injury. He is signed to a one-year $6 million contract but it remains unclear how the Celtics view the 24-year-old guard. Thomas has a no-trade clause this season and will become an unrestricted free agent once his contract expires.

Interestingly, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens met with Nets GM Sean Marks in Boston before their teams faced off. Although Boston is currently reluctant to give up first-round picks, could a compromise be reached involving protected first-round picks or multiple second-round picks? Time will tell.