Clint Capela is finally back and playing in the rotation for the Hawks. In Atlanta’s most recent win over the Heat, Capela had his best performance since returning from a nine-game absence after the All-Star break.
In 19 minutes of play, Capela dropped eight points and 11 rebounds with a pair of steals and a +2 plus-minus. It is good to see him back in action after this season’s murkiness surrounding his future with the Hawks.
Since their last win, the Hawks have lost two straight to Miami then Oklahoma City. In Atlanta’s latest loss against the Thunder, Capela had zero points in just over 10 minutes of play.
Earlier in February, the 30-year-old big man endured an especially rocky trade deadline. Reports suggested that Atlanta had tried to deal Capela but ended up backing out of a trade that would have sent him and De’Andre Hunter to New Orleans for Brandon Ingram.
The team largely cited personal reasons for Capela’s recent stretch of missed games, indicating that the Swiss center was ready to move on from the Hawks the same way they seemed ready to move on from him. Over Atlanta’s last five games, the team has reintegrated him into the rotation as Onyeka Okongwu’s backup.
The Hawks shouldn’t feel the need to give Clint Capela more minutes
While Capela still provides valuable rebounding and veteran leadership with his presence, the Hawks are clearly faring better with Big O holding it down at the five. Since his return to the rotation, Capela has posted a -37 plus-minus compared to Okongwu’s +3 mark during the same five-game stretch.
Young gun Mouhamed Gueye has started seven straight contests, but his minutes have not been significant either. It seems like Capela’s playing time is right where it should be, and fans probably wouldn’t bat an eye if the vet’s minutes actually took a slight hit.
The Hawks have won one of their last five outings, and the team has made multiple signings to try and give themselves a boost in depth. Atlanta converted Dominick Barlow’s two-way contract into a two-year standard deal. The young big man could feasibly steal some of Capela’s minutes if his first-ever standard NBA contract gives him the kind of confidence that fellow youngsters like Gueye have parlayed into important roles for the Hawks.
Atlanta also signed homegrown talent Kevon Harris to a 10-day contract, bringing the G League standout on board for the first time since his Hawks stints from preseason and training camp.
Despite Atlanta’s current struggles, Capela exhibited faith in the team’s second unit with his recent comments for the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
“It’s a big difference because they don’t hesitate to communicate and figure it out,” Capela told Lauren Williams of the AJC. “Situations whenever we caught up in something defensively, we’re able to figure it out quicker. And that’s a huge plus for the match.”
Over the five games with Capela, the Hawks bench has ranked seventh in the NBA in points per game but second-worst in plus-minus. Quin Snyder may need to further tinker with his rotations to get Atlanta back on track, and that may or may not result in fewer minutes for Capela.