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Should the Atlanta Hawks Shut Down Clint Capela?

By Dallin Duffy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 11: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets stands on the court during a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 11, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 11: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets stands on the court during a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 11, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Clint Capela has yet to play a game for the Atlanta Hawks this season. Should he?

The anticipation grows for Clint Capela’s debut with the Atlanta Hawks, who has yet to play for his new team while dealing with Plantar fasciitis. Capela was acquired at the Deadline in part of a four-team deal that saw more than ten players switching teams.

The 6’10 center was among the most high-profile players to swap jerseys this season, and for the Atlanta Hawks, the addition is much-needed. The Hawks have been among the worst teams on defense and on the boards this season, and had long-term options at nearly every other position.

Capela looks to be the center of the future in Atlanta, and while they need him more in the coming years, fans would still like to see what he brings to the table this season in a preview of sorts. Is that a good idea though?

GM Travis Schlenk said that Capela won’t see action until “maybe mid-March” on Fox Sports Southeast during Wednesday’s loss to Orlando, giving him just a few weeks with the team this season if that holds true. Shutting him down would be disappointing to the fans (and likely front office) who want to see him play, but risking long term injury to play just a handful of near-meaningless games is tough.

With the reformed Lottery odds, tanking is no longer a sure-fire way to guarantee the top pick, or even a top-five pick. Playing Capela or sitting him really wouldn’t affect the Hawks’ odds that much, so shutting him down would simply be for injury reasons.

The team is already taking it very slow, and if he was still on the Rockets, he’d probably be playing right now. His former coach Mike D’Antoni said Capela “could” play the second game of a Rockets’ back-to-back, and that was in early February.

It may be an unpopular opinion, but I would prefer if the Hawks do decide to shut him down, and instead give his minutes to rookie Bruno Fernando. Just because he’s going to be going to be a part of the future in Atlanta, doesn’t mean he has to be apart of this season.

Next. Three Atlanta Hawks to Watch After the All-Star Break. dark

What do y’all think? Get at us in the comment section or on Twitter (@soaringdwnsouth) to share your opinion on Capela’s injury status.

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