The Hawks hope to trade starting center Clint Capela before his $22.27MM contract expires in the offseason, sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Atlanta has seven weeks to try to move Capela, with the trade deadline set for 2:00 pm CT on February 6.
According to Fischer, the Hawks’ willingness to deal Capela is at least partially motivated by their confidence in young backup center Onyeka Okongwu, a former lottery pick who is in the first season of a four-year, $62MM rookie scale extension. Okongwu will miss at least the next four games due to left knee inflammation, but he’s reportedly viewed as a long-term part of the team’s core.
After playing a career-high 33.6 minutes per game during the 2018/19 campaign, Capela has seen his playing time decline in each of the past six seasons. He’s averaging 23.0 MPG in ’24/25, the third-lowest mark of his 11-year career.
Capela’s minutes may have been steadily dwindling over the past several seasons, but he remains quite productive, with his per-36 averages for ’24/25 right in line with his career rates. In 27 games this season, he’s averaging 10.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG and 1.0 BPG.
A 30-year-old big man from Switzerland, Capela has popped in several trade rumors in recent years. He’s in his sixth season with the Hawks, who acquired him in a four-team deal in February 2020.
As Fischer observes, the tricky part for Atlanta is Capela’s cap hit is pretty significant. It’s understandable that the Hawks would want to get something in return for him if they don’t plan to re-sign him (they already have a lot of money committed to their roster in ’25/26), but it might be difficult to get solid value back for Capela, given his salary, expiring contract, and the fact that center is a pretty deep position in the NBA.
Let the warrior fan gymnastics begin
Stop
Hard Pass
Cap watchers, what can Golden State give up here?
GPII, Kevon Looney, Moody, and Gui Santos works money-wise. Not much else does. Hield and Anderson aren’t moving. Schroeder can’t be aggregated with any other salaries. Kuminga isn’t moving. Podz’s contract is too small, ditto Lindy Waters. TJD is more valuable to the Warriors than as a trade piece, as small as his contract is.
Honestly, I would not make this trade. Doesn’t help the Warriors much, if at all. It’s just not a trade that moves the needle, especially since Capela doesn’t fit into their offense. His already low 10 PPG would almost certainly decline further.
Schroeder can but not until the day before the deadline
They cant trade Moody, learnt that the hard way
They’d have to give up any shot of getting an impact player to pair with Curry so they’d have a shot at a deep playoff run. Capela isn’t what he used to be and at this point he’s not much of an upgrade of Looney or Jackson-Davis. The salaries of Moody and GP2 are crucial to pair with Kuminga’s to make any trade for another star.
Capela has tons of playoff experience, especially over Jackson Davis, who is unproven in that matter. If you think there isn’t much difference, wait for the playoffs and hope Jackson Davis clears the glass and protects the rim against Nurkic, Randle, Jokic, Davis, Gobert, Embiid, Adebayo, and players like that.
Gee. I sure hope it’s to Thump City, a.k.a. Lakers. Silver says “Get it done!”
Okongwu is fantastic in his current role. If trading Clint you’d want a starter. Atlanta have a good young group emerging, I understand giving the younger guys more burn. Atlanta also closely watching the train wreck known as the Lakers too. L.A unprotected first to Atlanta 2025 lol.
Circle back to the lakers again lol. Clint would have to commit to resigning in L.A. Lakers want a centre and Dlo gone, atlanta need a back up PG rental. Add player/filler matching money and the real trade piece a first, 2029 from lakers. Atlanta will still have trade chips in Bogdanovic and Hunter to fill roster holes….embrace these young dudes going forward.
OO is 6’8 and should only be playing PF strictly. Maybe spot minutes at C. Yes I agree they need to find a starting C. I think they should find a younger C like Miles Turner, Claxton, Ayton etc etc
Capela, Nance and two 2nds for Ayton or trade a 1st for one of the other guys
Who was it that said !!!!!!
Draft Sarr and trade Capela. It’s a gift
Why? This would have made alot of sense going into the year based on ATL’s preseason expectations. But they’ve outperformed those, and are beginning to develop (of all things) an identity. Capela is a part of that, even if his role isn’t as big as his contract. It’s not like trading Capela now is going to return great future assets. There’s a place for asset management, but there should also be one for competition. Maybe the FO should prioritize winning this season, since it looks like they might have a chance to do it.
Capela, Nance and two 2nds to Portland for Ayton
@Pelicans