The Atlanta Hawks will have exactly 29 days until the trade deadline. They by no means need to make a trade – that is to say, no one has rocked the boat publicly nor have there been any indications that such tumult could be on the horizon.
This Hawks group has also shown they can hang with the best in the Eastern Conference.
However, there have been rumors about the Hawks’ plans before the deadline on February 6. If they do make a move, making sure these players are involved would be wise.
Cody Zeller a Hawk on paper only
This is an easy one. Zeller was the final piece of the Hawks’ trade sending Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024 offseason. However, the Hawks and Zeller’s camp have agreed on him remaining away from the team.
That is amicable, but it does not help the Hawks on the floor.
Zeller is a viable reserve big. He averaged just 1.8 points and 2.5 rebounds across his 43 appearances with the Pelicans in 2023-24.
However, he averaged 6.5 PPG the season before with double the playing time he saw this past season. Zeller boasted a 9.4/6.8/1.8 line while averaging nearly 21 minutes per night in 2020-21 with the Charlotte Hornets.
He started 21 of his 48 appearances that season.
Zeller is in the first year of a three-year, $11 million pact, so he will still be on the Hawks’ books next season if they do not address the matter before the deadline.
He will not get any more valuable while he is not playing. And it is even more difficult to imagine him integrating himself next season after sitting out this entire season. At 32 years old, he should still have some solid ball left in him.
Clint Capela serves his purpose for the Hawks
This one is far more nuanced. Capela is a key cog for the Hawks, boasting the third-best on-off differential – second-best defensively – on the team, per Cleaning The Glass.
He is also one of six players leading the league with 37 starts entering play on January 8.
Capela is averaging 9.6 points and 8.9 rebounds this season, both his lowest marks since the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, respectively. He is also seeing his fewest minutes per game since that ‘15-’16 season.
That is notable, with top backup Onyeka Okongwu seeing his fewest minutes in two seasons and missing seven full games due to injury.
Capela is on an expiring two-year, $46 million contract.
If the Hawks let this window pass, they will have several options. They could always re-sign him and continue to platoon the position with him and Okognwu, who is in Year 1 of a four-year, $61.9 million deal.
The Hawks could also do a sign-and-trade sending Capela to another team, though that would require a three-year commitment by the acquiring franchise.
Lastly, the Hawks could let Capela walk, though that would be a waste considering his value.
The cleanest way to avoid potentially losing Capela for nothing or – even worse – overpaying him on his next deal is to find a trade partner before the deadline. Again, it would not be surprising to see the Hawks hold onto Capela, who had a great game versus the Utah Jazz.
However, the persistent rumors around the big man suggest the Hawks are at least open to the idea of moving on and have been for some time.
Ensuring he is properly replaced is both essential and easier said than done, though.
Bogdan Bogdanovic left magic in Paris
Bogdan Bogdanovic’s place on this list is disappointing and unexpected. There was a time when this spot seemed pre-determined for De’Andre Hunter. But he has found new life as a reserve, averaging a career-high 19.7 PPG despite playing a career-low 27 minutes per game.
Hunter has also been durable (*knocks on wood*) since returning from missing 11 of the first 14 games of the season.
Bogdanovic was coming off a strong showing during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
This season, he has appeared in 16 of the Hawks’ 37 games. Moreover, Bogdanovic has been largely ineffective as a scorer when he has been on the floor this season, averaging 10.9 PPG and shooting 34% from downtown.
Those are both career-low marks and come after there was rumored interest from teams looking to trade for him during the offseason.
Like Capela, Bogdanovic,32, is still one of the more positively impactful Hawks.
He has the fifth-best on-off differential on the team, remains a savvy player, and – at least in reputation – is one of the best, most consistent shooters on the team. He is also in Year 2 of a four-year, $68 million contract and has a lengthy injury history.
The only “must trade” on this list is Zeller.
But the Hawks should explore their options for Bogdanovic and Capela too, especially if they fall out of contention by the trade deadline.