Grade the trade: Hawks pitch lands former 1st-round pick & more for Clint Capela

Knicks land former rebounding champion in proposed trade

The Knicks have shown an interest in Capela, who led the NBA in rebounding in 2020-21 and field goal percentage in 2017-18.

“Clint Capela – Atlanta – was one big that the Knicks had checked in on,” SportsNet New York’s Ian Begley reported on “Begley’s Mailbag” on July 18. “I don't know kind of how far talks went. I don't know if they're active at this very moment. But they did check in on Capela.”

Capela averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 boards, 1.5 blocks, and 1.2 assists in 2023-24.

However, his 57.1% mark from the floor is the second-worst mark of his career behind only his 48.3% clip from his rookie campaign in 2014-15.

His rebounding has fallen in each season since he held the crown. His scoring was his second-lowest since the 2015-16 season. Capela is in the final year of a two-year, $45.9 million contract. He carries a $22.2 million cap charge in 2024-25.

Begley went on to say that Mitchell Robinson likely would have been part of the potential return.

Losing Robinson, who tied a career-low with 31 appearances in 2023-24, could mitigate adding Capela.

The latter has appeared in at least 63 games in each of the past three seasons. But he made 39 appearances in 2019-20 and has dealt with knee injuries in recent years. Capela, 30, is also four years older than Robinson.

Robinson is entering Year 3 of a four-year, $60 million contract.

He will count $14.3 million in 2024-25. Robinson’s contract also decreases in value, with a $12.9 million cap hit in 2025-26.

The Athletic’s Will Guillory reported on July 8 that the Hawks did not have any interest in trading Capela (or Okongwu) for New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram during the 2024 offseason.

Grade – C-: This is a costly endeavor for a potential one-year rental who has not helped his current team win despite his consistency.