Hawks Acquire Clint Capela
The Hawks are at the point of their rebuild where they need to add pieces that help them win now as well as in the future. Capela, more than any other of the big men rumored brings that to the table.
He’s 25, on year two of a reasonable five-year deal and fills their biggest weakness in a physical center. Particularly he’d help in the rebounding department wherein the Hawks are the 7th worst team in the league. The Swiss-born center has averaged 13.8 rebounds per game this season, easily topping the Hawks’ current leader in John Collins‘ 10.2.
Because of the Rockets’ desire to go all-in for a championship run, the Hawks aren’t an ideal trade partner for them. They’d need a third team to make a deal more than likely. Earlier this week I floated this mock three team trade below:
The Hawks get get Capela and 2 second rounders (they have none currently this year) in exchange for the Brooklyn pick as well as players Alex Len and Jabari Parker.
Whether or not the trade looks exactly like this, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported that a foundation of a trade involving these three trades was at least discussed:
Sources: A three-way deal was discussed to send Robert Covington to Houston, Clint Capela to Atlanta, and picks to Minnesota.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 4, 2020
The Wolves hoped to flip assets for D'Angelo Russell, but Golden State denied their offer. Talks have stalled.
More on @ringer: https://t.co/R98g4VnDPg
However it gets done, I do think Capela becomes a member of the Hawks on or before Thursday. He brings a lot to the table, and it’s not at all a stretch to call him the future at the center position in Atlanta.