The Atlanta Hawks are rumored to be keen on moving Onyeka Okongwu into the starting lineup, a move they would like to facilitate by finding a trade for starting center Clint Capela before the February 6 deadline.
How serious the Hawks are about trading Capela likely depends on the source. But there is a clear need the Hawks can address by trading the pending free agent.
Here are three potential targets that would fit the Hawks’ needs for a backup point guard.
Hawks could pair Trae with Deuce in Knicks trade pitch
The New York Knicks were one of the teams that inquired about trading for Capela. It makes sense to revisit those talks amid their continued interest in bolstering their frontcourt.
The Hawks had an affinity for Quinton Grimes, but he is now a Dallas Maverick.
Deuce McBride is a 2-guard but he is built like a point guard. He also defends and can create offense for himself. He would give the Hawks a similar enough to Trae Young as an aggressive scorer when the three-time All-Star sits or has to miss time.
McBride is nowhere near the passer that Young is. Still, McBride is averaging career highs with 10.4 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game entering play on Christmas.
The number of useful players the Knicks would have to give up in this deal could be prohibitive.
Former starting center Mitchell Robinson is injured. But he could be a worthwhile flier with one more season on his contract after this one. Precious Aciuwa’s inclusion could be a step too far if the other stipulations are not enough.
However, this is the best way to make a deal work without a) including the Knicks’ top five players, who also make the most money, or b) forcing the Hawks to reshape their whole roster.
Hawks form lockdown backcourt duo in proposed trade with Grizzlies
The Hawks could also look to build off their newfound defensive strength and find a solid complement for Dyson Daniels, who is making a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year consideration.
What better player to do that than 2021-22 DPOY Marcus Smart?
Smart has battled injuries this season, and he has not shot the three-ball well since 2020. But he remains a savvy veteran who plays hard-nosed defense when healthy.
A Daniels-Smart backcourt would be a nightmare for opposing guards. And, sneakily, he is one of 43 players since 2014-15 to have a usage rate of 17% or greater with a turnover rate below 16% while logging at least 18,000 minutes, per Stathead.
Only 14 of those players are guards by Stathead’s qualifications.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger believes a starting center is the Grizzlies’ biggest trade need. And while he cites a need for shooting, Capela checks two other important boxes.
Capela is a non-threat offensively outside of lobs and some putbacks. But he is solid if unspectacular defensively in the paint, more mobile than he gets credit for, and still works harder than most on the glass.
The Grizzlies also have Jaren Jackson Jr. who loves to shoot and Zach Edey who can.
Hawks could send Clint Capela to La La Land
Let’s get the controversy out of the way and go for a target the Hawks have already been said to not want: D’Angelo Russell. However, in the proper role, Russell can still be an effective piece to a contending puzzle.
Moreover, the Hawks should be able to extract some draft capital along with him given they are surrendering the better player in the deal.
Russell would fit nicely on a Hawks bench that is already potent.
He would not have to be the primary facilitator, with Vit Krejci emerging as the current best option on the roster. And there are plenty of aggressive scorers who can create for themselves not to leave Russell in a position to play hero ball.
Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Andre Hunter are both starting-caliber players, and the Hawks feel Okongwu is too.
This deal removes Okongwu from the bench, but the Hawks still have Larry Nance Jr.
Russell is also an unrestricted free agent after the season, so extracting draft capital from the Lakers is key lest the Hawks make a lateral move. But Russell is a better fit and target than he may seem.
Would the Lakers be willing to part with one of their best trade anchors in Russell’s salary, a recent first-round pick in Hood-Schifino, and draft picks?
Perhaps; if they are desperate to maximize LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ window.