The Atlanta Hawks had plans to trade Clint Capela. However, the 2025 trade deadline came and went without the former rebounding champion changing teams.
Now comes the unenviable task of Capela reintegrating into the Hawks’ rotation.
“Clint Capela will be inactive tonight in New York,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Lauren L. Williams reported on S on February 12. “Hawks coach Quin Snyder said that Capela is in the process of ramping up and that work will continue through the All-Star Break.”
Capela indeed missed his ninth game in a row. “Locked On Hawks” host Brad Rowland added further context to Capela’s situation.
Rowland noted Capela is not a lock to play immediately following the break either.
“I’m told the expectation is that Clint Capela will be available to play after the All-Star break,” Rowland reported on X on February 12. “(My own note here: “Expectation” does not guarantee anything).”
This all comes following a report from NBA insider Jake Fischer that the Hawks entertained trading Capela before the deadline.
The deal would have landed them Brandon Ingram.
“The Raptors held talks with the Hawks about acquiring De’Andre Hunter, who wound up being traded to Cleveland,” Fischer wrote on February 12. “Sources say that the Cavaliers viewed the Raptors as their foremost threat to landing Hunter while also being cognizant that the Pelicans and Hawks were discussing frameworks that could have sent Ingram to Atlanta and Hunter to New Orleans.
“In any potential Ingram-to-Atlanta swap, Clint Capela would have headed to the Pelicans, sources said. Yet it was frequently stressed in the build-up to the deadline that the Hawks, unlike the Raptors, were not eager to sign Ingram to an immediate extension.”
The Hawks were wise to avoid handing Ingram the three-year, $120 million contract extension the Raptors did before seeing him play for their team.
However, letting the deadline pass without finding a new home for Capela is an issue.
Hawks could lose Clint Capela for nothing during 2025 offseason
Capela is an unrestricted free agent after the season. And while he has shown professionalism throughout this ordeal – he could be seen on the Hawks bench chatting up new teammates during a recent game – it would be understandable if Capela wanted to move on.
The Hawks could lose him for nothing after discussing trade possibilities for the big man since last offseason.
Capela has been linked to the Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets.
The Hawks held onto him throughout their dealings with the Pelicans in the talks that resulted in Dejounte Murray going to New Orleans. They will not have that option this offseason, most likely unless they are prepared to offer Capela another multi-year deal.
That could result in a sign-and-trade, but a team could try to offer Capela a two-year deal on the hope there is some lingering resentment over the situation.
A buyout could also still be an option, but the Hawks have shown no interest in that.
Capela is a useful player off the bench behind Onyeka Okongwu, even as the former's production has waned at this point of his career. The Hawks missed their opportunity to ensure they extract future value from the 30-year-old center. But he can still help them the rest of the way this season.