At first glance, the Houston Rockets acquiring former Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela would seem to be an open and shut (and, frankly, expected) transaction. The 31-year-old veteran agreed to a two-year, $45.9 million contract with Houston to bolster their contending team in the frontcourt.
However, it is now being reported that Capela is likely to be involved in a reported seven-team trade that sends him to the Rockets. When confirmed, this trade will break the record for most teams involved in a trade.
Per Jake Fischer of the Stein Line’s report, the massive deal includes Atlanta, Phoenix, Brooklyn, Golden State, Minnesota, and the L.A. Lakers. From what is being reported, the Hawks’ involvement in the deal is rather minor, but still notable as the Hawks find themselves earning a trade exception and future second round pick for Capella.
Hawks' offseason gets even better after earning compensation for Capella
Now, rather than signing in free agency, Capella will be involved in a sign-and-trade to send the Swiss center back to Houston. The trade will be wrapped into the already reported Kevin Durant trade, involving five NBA players and an absurd amount of draft capital.
With the league in its active moratorium period, which ends on July 6, don’t expect for this deal to be finalized before then. Even though it might seem like some teams are acquiring little value in the trade, every asset counts in the modern NBA. Packaging together multiple second-round picks, for example, can bolster a middling trade offer into a formidable one.
There are still many details about the aforementioned deal to iron out, but they should come to more light in the coming days.
Just last offseason, six teams teamed up to create the largest trade in league history, and now this rumored deal would top that. Of note, Dallas acquired longtime Warriors guard Klay Thompson in the trade. It involved Minnesota, Golden State, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, and Charlotte.
The Hawks have been active on both the free agent and trade market thus far in the offseason, making moves for rangy big man Kristaps Porzingis and wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, among others.
After those key moves, the team drafted Georgia product Asa Newell while landing a prestigious draft pick from the New Orleans Pelicans. The 2026 first-round pick will be the most favorable of either New Orleans or Milwaukee. Many analysts have pegged that pick as highly valuable due to uncertainty around both franchises.
One thing is certain: the Hawks are not done making moves during this offseason. We’ll have to wait for the details on their sign-and-trade deal concerning Capela as they continue to build around Trae Young.