3 Clint Capela trades the Hawks should explore to build around Trae Young

Hawks take on monster salary in 3-team trade proposal for dynamic 5-man

The Hawks could try to split the difference between finding a modern skill set in a more traditional package at center. They might need to practice patience, perhaps up until the trade deadline to make their move. But the payoff could be the highest among this group.

Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns considers himself the greatest big man shooter in the game. The 7-foot, 248-pounder is also a little heavier than Markkanen.

He averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists last season. 

The Hawks would send their 2025 first-round picks (via LA and SAC) to Minnesota, who would in turn send a swap option to Memphis in 2028 or 2030.

Sending Capela and Hunter to Minnesota for Towns works financially. But the Timberwolves still have two other starting caliber centers in four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and 2023 Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid.

Hunter would fit. But he makes more sense to Memphis to pique the Grizzlies’ interest.

Sending Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, and John Konchar to Minnesota fits their defensive presence (Smart and Clarke) while adding shooting (Konchar) too.

Towns is starting a four-year, $220 million contract that pays $49.2 million in 2024-25 and has a $61 million (!!!) player option for 2027-28. That is a significant commitment to make only to potentially have to accept pennies on the dollar to undo it.

The good news is that this scenario is unlikely to present itself before the season starts. The Timberwolves are coming off an appearance in the Western Conference Finals.

Even with Towns being mentioned in trade rumors before, they are expected to run it back.

A slow start and the looming prospects of their tax bill in the final season of Towns’ contract could set the wheels in motion. Gobert’s contract will have expired by then. But Anthony Edwards carries a $52.3 million cap hit in 2027-28.

Onyeka Okongwu – and his $14 million salary in Year 1 of a four-year, $61.9 million contract – loom large in all of these scenarios.

But the Hawks’ interest in centers in the draft suggests they are open to adding to the position.