Clint Capela’s days as an Atlanta Hawk seem numbered, and FanSided’s recent NBA Mock Draft certainly accounted for it. In his June 6 article, FanSided’s Christopher Kline projected the Hawks to select 19-year-old big man Thomas Sorber with the No. 13 pick.
With the Hawks expected to let Capela walk in free agency and search for replacement options, it only makes sense for new general manager Onsi Saleh to prioritize a younger big man like Sorber for Atlanta’s future. Even so, Capela’s departure will be bittersweet for many Hawks fans who watched him help Atlanta reach the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals in his first season with the team.
Capela finished in sixth place for Defensive Player of the Year voting that season, averaging 2.0 blocks and 14.3 rebounds. The Swiss center dominated the glass in his early days with Atlanta and became Trae Young’s go-to alley-oop recipient, creating many fond memories for Hawks fans.
Thomas Sorber looks like a hidden gem in the 2025 NBA Draft
Sorber’s spot in FanSided’s mock draft should excite Hawks fans. The Georgetown product possesses high two-way upside, and he is still a teenager. Sorber averaged 2.0 blocks as a freshman, using his 6-foot-10 frame and 7-foot-6 wingspan to protect the rim at an elite level for the Hoyas.
If you don’t know who Thomas Sorber it is, it’s time to familiarize yourself
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) June 16, 2025
He’s a 19-year-old big with a 7’6” wing span and a versatile skillset that will fit seamlessly at the NBA level
His defense gives of shades of a future all-defensive contender, as he already has great… pic.twitter.com/7gHoiEgBmA
Sorber also averaged 1.5 steals and 2.4 assists, displaying versatility as a ball hawk and a playmaker out of the post. He only shot 16.2% from 3-point range, but his willingness to shoot the three (1.5 attempts per game) should bode well for the development of his jumper.
While some may view Sorber as a reach at No. 13 due to the relatively quiet hype surrounding him, the talented big man has clear lottery-pick upside. Sorber makes perfect sense as a potential center of the future for a Hawks team that will likely miss out on bigs like Khaman Maluach and Derik Queen.
Recent reports have suggested Atlanta could take a more aggressive approach in the draft and trade up into the top 10. In a June 12 intel dump for The Stein Line, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Hawks may use both of their first-round picks – No. 13 and No. 22 – to trade up.
Even if Atlanta trades up, Sorber could still be in play. The versatile big man would project as an elite pick-and-roll partner for Ice Trae down the road. At 263 pounds with a 9-foot-1 standing reach, Sorber has all the ingredients for a high-flying NBA star.
Similar to Onyeka Okongwu, Sorber possesses advanced mobility for a player of his size and measurements. In his first and last college season, he shined as a drop-coverage defender and disrupted opponents with his activity in passing lanes.
While he may struggle to keep up with quicker guards and wings on the perimeter, he has plenty of time to develop those abilities as he adapts to the league. Whether he lands with Atlanta or not, Sorber could make a real statement during his first year in the league.
As Capela’s tenure in Atlanta comes to an end, the Hawks would be wise to take a chance on Sorber.