The Atlanta Hawks made a surprise run to the conference finals in 2021, but they have not been able to replicate that success. Atlanta has been bounced in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back years, and the franchise wants more, especially after their coaching and front-office shake-ups over the last year.
Hawks big man Clint Capela seems like an obvious trade candidate. The 6’10 traditional center rebounds well, protects the rim, and sets screens, but Atlanta has Onyeka Okongwu ready and waiting for minutes at the five. Could they find Capela a new home in exchange for a better fit for their roster?
Capela’s trade value is a bit difficult to gauge after his playoff struggles. He is still a quality starting center and a six-game sample should not be looked upon too harshly, so what can Atlanta get for the 29-year-old big man?
Clint Capela trades the Atlanta Hawks should make right now
5. Hawks swap Capela to Dallas for shooting
Atlanta finished 28th in 3-pointers attempted and 21st in 3-point percentage last season. They certainly need some shot-making and floor spacing if they are going to take a step forward. Could they cash in Capela on a shooter and get a pick swap out of the deal? The Athletic’s Tim Cato offered up this hypothetical (subscription required) in a recent article.
The Mavs desperately need a starting center and are rumored to be shopping the tenth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Could the Hawks take advantage?
This is win-win trade for both sides. Dallas takes on a bit of extra salary but adds Luka Doncic’s pick-and-roll partner to solve their rebounding and rim protection woes. The Hawks get some shooting and move into the top ten where they have a better chance of adding an impactful rookie.
Is this the best value they can get for Clint Capela? Probably not, but it feels like a worthwhile trade to make on draft night.
4. Rockets get Capela back
The Rockets want to exit their rebuild and jump back into contention. They hired Ime Udoka to be their head coach and are looking to use their cap space this summer to upgrade their roster. Fans have heard the James Harden rumors, but would that increase their interest in bringing back Capela to be his pick-and-roll partner?
The Rockets finished 29th in defensive rating last season, so acquiring defenders from Houston is tough. They also traded multiple first-round picks to the Thunder to acquire Russell Westbrook in 2019. Would Houston be willing to give up a first to get Capela back?
The Rockets may scoff at trading a first-round pick, but things could change if Harden returns this summer. The ten-time All-Star will want a strong pick and roll partner, and his familiarity with Capela makes him a logical choice. Udoka is a defense-first coach that will want a strong rim protector.
Throw in Jae’Sean Tate, who gives the Hawks another wing option off the bench, and Atlanta should be willing to make this deal.
The Hawks save $14.1 million by completing this trade, which creates room to use their full mid-level exception, and it gives Atlanta options in improving their roster moving forward. Assuming Onyeka Okongwu thrives as the team’s starting center, this could turn into a massive move that helps the Atlanta retool their roster.
3. Spurs add an enforcer to protect Wemby
San Antonio won the draft lottery and will add Victor Wembanyama to their roster later this month. The prized big man is likely not ready to be a full-time center in year one, so San Antonio could be looking to add some muscle. Wemby can space the floor and handle the ball, so the Spurs would have issues adding a traditional big man like Capela.
The Hawks get a sharpshooting wing that can help their bench unit and a first-round pick. The Spurs are loaded with draft capital, so Atlanta would have to choose wisely on which selection to take. The Spurs would likely try to deal away one of their picks as they figure to be in contention in three years.
Atlanta should make this move because it gives them an impact rotation player and a first-round draft pick. It also saves the Hawks $6.9 million next season, and McDermott only has one year left on his deal. Making this trade gives them some room under the new second tax apron and creates enough space for them to use at least part of their mid-level exception to add more talent.
The Atlanta Hawks would prefer to get a more impactful wing, but Clint Capela’s playoff struggles likely ended those hopes unless they are willing to part with more draft capital.
2. Hawks upgrade at center and give Suns some depth
Could Atlanta try to upgrade their center spot this offseason? Deandre Ayton is rumored to be unhappy in Phoenix, and the former number-one overall pick would give the Hawks a third dynamic offensive option to pair with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Bleacher Report offered this hypothetical in a recent article.
The Suns are searching for depth and would welcome trading Ayton for two high-minute options. Capela gives them a more traditional center and rim protector to play off Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and Bogdanovic immediately slots in as the Suns’ sixth man. If they bring back Chris Paul, that is five strong options before free agency opens.
Ayton is only 24 years old and could reach a new level with a change of scenery. He is already an elite rebounder with a strong mid-range game. Can Ayton stretch his shooting beyond the 3-point line? The Hawks certainly need floor spacing, and Young and Murray will draw defenders away.
Landry Shamet gives the Hawks a strong 3-point shooter off the bench that should be entering his prime.
Can Quinn Snyder get the most out of Deandre Ayton? If he thinks so, this quickly becomes a no-brainer move for the Atlanta Hawks as they look to make a deep playoff run in 2024.
1. Capela heads to the Lakers
This may be the most surprising trade, but the Lakers have continuously tried to find a starting center to play next to Anthony Davis. The Lakers have a $16.5 million team option on Beasley’s contract that may decline to create cap space, but the Hawks are looking for shooters and wing help. Could they get two rotation-ready wings for Capela in one move?
The Hawks want another perimeter defender, and the Lakers may be ready to move on from Vanderbilt after he tumbled out of the rotation in the playoffs. The 6’9 wing’s offensive game is a work in progress, but he can guard on the ball with the versatility to take on multiple positions.
The Lakers get a starting center and a bench shooter out of the trade. They likely have to give up a second-round pick to incentivize the Hawks to part with a starter for two rotation players. Still, this trade could be a win-win that helps both teams contend moving forward.
Will the Atlanta Hawks trade Clint Capela this summer? Expect the new front office to have plenty of discussions on multiple players, but can they find a deal that works? They are motivated to make improvements, but only time will tell, so stay tuned.
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