Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela has been named in connection to several potential suitors in trade rumors. It is a continuation of speculation that surrounded the former rebounding champion during the season.
Capela averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season. He is entering the final year of a two-year, $46 million contract.
He carries a $22.3 million cap hit in 2024-25.
There is no guarantee the Hawks move Capela. He has been a steadying presence over the years. But they could make use of his expiring contract either by itself or in a package to secure an upgrade at the position or elsewhere. Here are three trades the Hawks should pursue for Capela.
Hawks land long-rumored target for Clint Capela in proposed trade
The Hawks’ trade with the New Orleans Pelicans has yet to be finalized. Dejounte Murray is still going to the Pelicans. But they will have to add salary to satisfy league rules.
That could be as simple as sending a player like Matt Ryan, per an example from ESPN’s Bobby Marks. But the Pelicans also need a center after Jonas Valanciunas left for the Washington Wizards in free agency.
A package with De’Andre Hunter alongside Capela for Ingram and Ryan could make sense.
The Hawks had been linked to Ingram before trading Murray to the Pelicans. However, that Ingram was not included in the initial framework could signal the Hawks are indeed out on him.
Ingram, 26, 20.8 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds last season. A 36.2% career shooter from beyond the arc, he shot 35.5% from deep last season. He has dealt with injuries in his career, including last season.
But his 64 games were the second most of his career.
He is also entering the final year of a five-year, $158.3 million contract with a $36 million cap charge for 2024-25.
The Pelicans have said they are continuing to explore extension options with Ingram. But trade speculation has continued. He is not a strong defender. But he is 6-foot-8 at the shooting guard position.
Notably, New Orleans posted a plus-4.4 net efficiency differential with Ingram on the floor, per Cleaning The Glass. They had a plus-4.5 mark without him.
That could suggest a less impactful player than Ingram’s counting stats suggest.
Still, adding Ingram would allow the Hawks to add another versatile player with length next to Trae Young in the starting lineup. It would also add another complimentary playmaker with Jalen Johnson.
The Hawks would have a chance to make another run for the postseason with Ingram in the mix and help facilitate a sign-and-trade next offseason if that pairing also failed.
The Pelicans get their center in Capela, who is on an expiring contract.
New Orleans does not need Hunter with Herb Jones and Trey Murphy, so a third team could still be needed to put a scenario like this over the top. But he is a relatively cheap replacement for Ingram and has defensive chops.
Hawks land former Most Improved Player in proposed Clint Capela trade
The Hawks and Utah Jazz held talks that would have sent Young to the Western Conference, per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer on June 30. It is unclear how far those talks got. But the Jazz have also taken calls on Lauri Markkanen.
The Hawks could capitalize on that to upgrade their center position.
The Hawks would send the 2025 first-round picks from the Lakers (unprotected) and Kings (top-12 protected) as well as a swap option in 2028 and their first in 2030. It is a high price to pay after their last experiment ended after two years.
Walker Kessler could be available and would cost far less to acquire.
This, however, would aim to turn the Hawks into something resembling what the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets – the last two NBA champions – have boasted.
Markkanen is a 7-footer who can get his own shot and space the floor. He also won Most Improved Player in 2023. He isn’t as strong or as dynamic of a passer as Nikola Jokic is. Nor is he as long and defensively sound as Porzingis.
But he moves better than Jokic and has been more available than the Porzingis.
Markkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 39.9% from downtown last season. Markkanen is entering the final year of a four-year, $67.5 million contract with an $18 million cap hit in 2024-25.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote on July 2 that the Jazz are expected to want a package similar to what the Brooklyn Nets received from the New York Knicks for Mikal Bridges.
New York gave up six first-round picks, five of which were theirs either outright or swapped.
The Hawks don’t have that to give up after previous dealings. So this scenario could be dead in the water before it ever begins. Still, if the Hawks had the wherewithal to make such a move, it could help them reach new heights.
Markkanen is a power forward by trade. But he has always moonlighted at center. The Jazz had good results in limited minutes with him there last season.
It could also be a good way to show Young they are serious about winning.
As with Ingram, the Hawks could acquire Markkanen now and hope to work out a sign-and-trade in free agency next offseason. Fischer reported the Jazz are expected to work on an extension for him but that inquiries have continued.
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.