At the moment, the Atlanta Hawks are clinging on to the 10th and final Play-In spot in the Eastern Conference with a 31-39 record. They’re pretty safe at the moment, with the 11th-placed Brooklyn Nets sitting a full 5.5 games behind them.
The Hawks seem destined for a Play-In spot in the East this season and they could surprise us by becoming a nuisance in the playoffs. They’re not winning a championship this year, though, which is why it comes as no surprise that the front office is reportedly planning ahead for next season and beyond.
Atlanta Hawks to Part Ways With Clint Capela?
One player who seems to have found himself on the outside looking in is starting center Clint Capela. According to Grant Afseth of the NBA Analysis Network, the Hawks could be looking to unload the 29-year-old this summer:
“With an expensive payroll for a team with a losing record in the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks could continue a cost-cutting process already begun this season by trading John Collins to the Utah Jazz in what proved to be a salary dump move.
“Capela will earn $22.3 million on an expiring salary during the 2024-25 season. Sources tell NBA Analysis Network that the team desires to expand Onyeka Okongwu‘s role in the future, making Capela a trade candidate to watch this summer,” wrote Afseth.
This actually makes a lot of sense for the Hawks, especially with the rise of 23-year-old center Onyeka Okongwu. It’s not as if Atlanta is going to be able to offer Capela a big-money extension, which is why it would probably be in their best interest to cash in on him this summer while they still can.
It is also worth noting, though, that Hawks stars Dejounte Murray and Trae Young have both been involved in numerous trade rumors. While nothing substantial appears to have developed thus far, let’s not count out the possibility of Atlanta blowing it all up this summer.
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