Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields said he is comfortable taking the current roster into the 2024-25 regular season.
Whether or not Fields and Co. have an appetite for sticking with the group will hinge on how it starts the campaign. A rocky start could pave the way for more substantial changes during the season at the trade deadline.
There are a few players who stand out as potential trade candidates if the season stalls.
Clint Capela’s expiring contract could appeal to contending teams
The Hawks are three deep at center with Clint Capela, top backup Onyeka Okongwu, and reserve Cody Zeller. They also have starting power forward Jalen Johnson and his presumed top backup Larry Nance Jr., both of whom could log minutes at the pivot spot.
Okongwu is starting a four-year, $61.9 million contract while Johnson is due for a big payday after his breakout season in 2023-24 and the promise of 2024-25.
Nance and Zeller from the New Orleans Pelicans arrived in the Dejounte Murray trade.
Capela, who is in the final year of a two-year, $46 million pact, could be the odd man out if the Hawks struggle out of the gates. They held on to him in the Murray talks. But they would have to weigh the risk of him signing elsewhere in 2025 as an unrestricted free agent.
The other issue is potentially overpaying a consistent player, averaging a double-double in seven straight seasons, but one who is also offensively limited.
Capela also shot 57.1% from the floor in 2023-24, the second-lowest mark of his career.
Capela’s name has come up in trade talks besides with the Pelicans. The Hawks have held onto him so far, so it is not out of the question that he could remain regardless of how the season plays out.
But there will be interest if he is healthy when the trade deadline rolls around in February, the Hawks would just have to make the final call.