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3 Atlanta Hawks players who tanked their trade value in 2023

By Ben Grunert

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Trae Young #11, Clint Capela #15, Bogdan Bogdanovic #13, John Collins #20 and De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks react against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on October 27, 2021 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Trae Young #11, Clint Capela #15, Bogdan Bogdanovic #13, John Collins #20 and De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks react against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on October 27, 2021 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Clint Capela

Veteran center Clint Capela did not suffer a major drop-off during the 2022-23 regular season, but his playoff impact has gradually lessened over the last few years.

After a solid 65-game campaign, the Swiss big man averaged just 8.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in the first round. Despite his starting role, he only played 25.2 minutes per contest. As a starter, Capela has only received fewer nightly minutes in one career postseason. That happened last spring when he played just two games against the Miami Heat due to a knee injury.

During Atlanta’s conference finals run in 2021, Capela averaged 31.6 minutes of action and averaged a double-double. Capela hasn’t cracked 30 minutes in any of his eight playoff games since. Despite Capela’s solid per-game averages of 12 points and 11 boards, this regular season saw the 29-year-old center receive his lowest minutes per game since the 2016-17 season (his third year in the league).

The emergence of Onyeka Okongwu and his versatile defense has heavily contributed to Capela’s decrease in playing time.

In the modern NBA, versatile bigs are growing in prevalence, as evidenced by Okongwu’s significant role in the Hawks’ second unit. For instance, Eastern Conference finalists Miami and Boston both rely on multifaceted two-way centers in Bam Adebayo and Al Horford, two defensive anchors that can guard multiple positions at a high level.

Jaren Jackson Jr. won the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award with his knack for blocking shots against opponents at all five positions. Players like Evan Mobley and Nic Claxton also received DPOY consideration for their ability to keep up with smaller players. Unfortunately for Atlanta, Capela does not possess such defensive versatility.

If their opponent’s center can effectively space the floor, the Hawks will often prefer to play Okongwu. Facing sharpshooting center Al Horford in the first round, Capela recorded a measly 0.5 blocks per game and saw his minutes slightly drop off from the regular season.

From an offensive perspective, many modern-day big men can shoot the three. In fact, Okongwu shot 30.8% from deep this season, showing he can occasionally knock down the long ball. Meanwhile, Capela has attempted four threes throughout his entire career – all misses.

Over his last two playoff series, Capela has posted an abysmal -55 plus/minus across eight contests. As the NBA becomes more reliant on 3-point shooting, Capela will find it tougher and tougher to consistently utilize his skillset in a playoff setting.

Although Capela continues to serve as an above-average rim-runner who can crash the glass, his lack of intangibles and versatility will make it difficult for teams to justify valuing him highly in a trade scenario.

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