5 Moves GM Landry Fields must make to save the Hawks from a rebuild
By Tyler Watts
4. Trade Clint Capela
The Hawks have a center dilemma to navigate too. Onyeka Okongwu starts a four-year $61.9 million extension next season, but Atlanta is paying Clint Capela $22 million to be their starting center. The duo virtually split the center minutes last season, but now the Hawks are paying them a combined $36 million.
Capela has just one year left on his contract and has been in trade rumors since the 2023 offseason. It makes much more sense for Atlanta to trade the 30-year-old on an expiring deal over the 23-year-old just starting an extension. Capela should still have value too.
The 6’10 big man averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 25.8 minutes per game this season. It was his lowest playing time since 2017, but Capela still produced a 1.0 VORP and well above average win shares per 48 minutes.
This could get further complicated if the Hawks select a big man in the 2024 NBA Draft. Either way, the franchise is spending too much at the center position without having an elite option. They should move on from Clint Capela and let Okongwu expand his role.
The Hawks must focus on their needs too. They cannot just trade multiple role players and get nothing in return. Atlanta should try to land draft capital or a difference-making option in this role.