Darius Garland to the Hawks? Clippers looking for Draft picks
After the NBA sanctions, the Clippers need to replenish their Draft capital. Darius Garland could land with the Hawks in a blockbuster trade featuring two first-round picks
The Los Angeles Clippers could be forced to change their strategy following the heavy NBA sanctions that stripped the franchise of its own first-round picks from 2029 through 2033. According to Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports, Darius Garland could therefore become the primary asset the Clippers put on the market to replenish their Draft capital.
The proposed trade
Atlanta Hawks receive: Darius Garland
Los Angeles Clippers receive: CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Ryan Nembhard, a 2027 first-round pick (between Milwaukee and New Orleans, protected in the top four) and a 2030 first-round pick.
The main value of the offer for Los Angeles would be the two first-round picks, along with three players who would allow the team to maintain a semblance of competitiveness. Garland, 26, is coming off an injury-plagued season but still averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 assists in 19 games with the Clippers, shooting 47.1% from the field and 43.8% from three.
Why the Clippers should accept
After acquiring Garland just a few months ago by sending James Harden to Cleveland at the trade deadline, the Clippers could turn him into two first-round picks, McCollum, Kispert and Nembhard.
Unable to rely on their own Draft picks anymore, accumulating picks from other teams becomes crucial. McCollum, 34, would represent a short-term solution: last season, he still averaged 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Kispert would project as a rotation shooter, while Nembhard, just 23 years old, would be the most intriguing prospect for the future after averaging 6.6 points and 5.3 assists as a rookie.
In addition, trading Garland would allow the Clippers to clear room for the only player currently considered untouchable: Keaton Wagler, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 Draft and a potential face of the franchise going forward.
Why Atlanta should target Garland
For the Atlanta Hawks, giving up two first-round picks would be a significant investment, but the team appears ready to take a step forward.
After finishing last season sixth in the East and losing in the first round to the Knicks, who went on to win the NBA championship, Atlanta has strengthened an already-established defense around Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu with the addition of Luguentz Dort, without forgetting Alexander-Walker off the bench.
The fit with Garland would be particularly intriguing, with Daniels and Dort able to focus primarily on their defensive duties, Johnson getting the chance to take advantage of his size and athleticism, while Garland’s biggest limitation, his 6-foot-1 frame, would therefore be easier to mask.
Offensively, Garland would bring a career average of 20.6 points and 7.3 assists, with the ability to play both as a ball-handler and as an off-ball shooter. The comparison to Trae Young is inevitable, but Garland would have a different impact: he needs the ball less, and the Hawks would maintain good depth with players such as the aforementioned Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Aaron Wiggins, Buddy Hield and Kingston Flemings, who would have time to develop without being rushed into taking the reins of the team.
For the Clippers, Darius Garland currently represents the most concrete way to replenish their Draft picks. For the Hawks, meanwhile, it would be an opportunity to add a potential All-Star in his prime to a roster that already has a solid defensive foundation. It might not be enough to turn Atlanta into a title contender, but it could be the step needed to raise the team’s level.