The Atlanta Hawks are prepared to make something happen ahead of the trade deadline, which falls on February 6. Their most likely trade candidates have all drawn interest according to reports, but not all deals are created equal.
Specifically, the Hawks could have some difficulty finding a deal that is to their liking when it comes to former starting center Clint Capela.
“Hawks center Clint Capela has drawn trade interest from multiple teams, league sources told HoopsHype,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote on January 30. “One caveat, however, is that teams reaching out on Capela are currently proposing offers with player(s) under contract beyond this season.”
Capela is on an expiring two-year, $46 million contract.
One potential option could be to reignite talks with the New Orleans Pelicans, who previously had an interest in Capela. The Hawks have been linked to Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, which could make for simpler negotiations this time around.
“It also emerged Friday that there have been some preliminary conversations between Atlanta and New Orleans regarding Ingram, sources said,” Jake Fischer wrote for The Stein Line on January 31, “but it was also indicated to The Stein Line that those talks have not gained significant traction at this time.”
To make a deal work with the Pelicans for Ingram, the Hawks would need to shed additional salary. Including Larry Nance Jr. would satisfy salary-matching rules.
TRADE
However, the Pelicans traded Nance to the Hawks in a package for Dejounte Murray.
It is unclear how Nance would feel about a return to New Orleans. And such a move would weaken the Hawks’ depth. Nance, 32, is also a free agent after this season, though, so it makes sense to get something for him before he hits unrestricted free agency this offseason.
Clint Capela’s production slipping amid Hawks trade rumors
Capela, 30, is averaging 9.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists this season. It is the first season he has not averaged a double-double since 2016-17.
The Hawks have already replaced Capela with Onyeka Okongwu in the starting lineup, and they have been linked to a potential trade for Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic. That deal would involve veteran swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic, underscoring the shift the Hawks could make.
Bogdanovic and Capela are two of five remaining members from the Hawks 2020-21 team.
That group made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, taking two games off the Milwaukee Bucks before bowing out.
Getting back to those heights, let alone beyond, has proven impossible for the Hawks so far. It is not clear which direction they would take the group if they do make trades before the deadline.
It is clear that Hawks general manager Landry Fields & Co. know a change is needed.