Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Jalen Green, Bones Hyland
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: James Harden, Haywood Highsmith
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Mike Conley, Leonard Miller, 2026 second-round pick (second-most favorable of Dallas, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia, via Phoenix), Memphis’ 2026 second-round pick (protected Nos. 43 to 60, via L.A. Clippers), Cleveland’s 2027 second-round pick (via Minnesota)
Phoenix Suns Receive: Julius Randle
Jalen Green is injured and not nearly as good as Harden, but he’s younger and more athletic. The Clippers can treat him as a higher-upside swing.
If the 23-year-old pans out, he’s a less ball-dominant force who affords them more flexibility when fleshing out the rest of the roster, as well as someone who might hold trade value down the line.
Taking on Green nudges the Clippers out of cap-space territory in 2026. That’s fine. They’re long shots to maintain that flexibility anyway. His 2027-28 player option aligns with spending plans for that summer. Los Angeles also saves $3.3 million in salary this season, bringing it closer to ducking the tax.
Minnesota is stepping out on a limb in hopes that Harden provides more relief for Anthony Edwards than Julius Randle. The Wolves are getting older but upgrading their playmaking and increasing wiggle room beneath the second apron by around $1.6 million.
Haywood Highsmith is part of the value here, too. He’s a three-and-D wing who will be legitimately helpful upon returning from right knee surgery. Minnesota’s front office might appreciate the added flexibility of having him (expiring) and Harden (2026-27 player option) over extra two years on Randle’s deal (2027-28 player option).
Although Phoenix hasn’t gotten a chance to fully integrate Green, Randle fills more of a positional need with Grayson Allen, Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks on the roster. The Suns have been awfully reliant on the latter generating his own buckets so far. Randle’s downhill bully-ball attack adds both self-creation and playmaking.
Brooklyn is receiving three second-rounders and a flier on Leonard Miller for the right to buy out Mike Conley. If it prefers not having to waive a player, construction can be reworked to send Miller elsewhere.
