The Atlanta Hawks‘ Clint Capela might not stay long with the team. The starting center is rumored to be a potential trade asset for the Eastern Conference team heading into the 2025 free agency. This came after reserve center Onyeka Okongwu was given a four-year, $62 million contract extension.
Capela’s contract is in the final year of his two-year, $45.8 million deal and the Hawks have no plans of keeping him for the future. However, the organization wouldn’t want the big man to simply walk away without them getting anything in return.
According to Jake Fischer, the organization is looking for “a new home” for their current starting center.
“Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Hawks ‘would like to find a new home’ for Capela prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline to get something for him since he’s in the final season of his contract.”
NBA Insider Bobby Marks pointed out the financial situation the team is in. Trading away Capela could address their perimeter defense and give Trae Young help, especially on the defensive end.
“ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted the Hawks are $1.3 million under the luxury tax and has four trade exceptions ranging from $3.7 million to $25.3 million that could be used. Their most glaring needs are for a perimeter defender and backup point guard to ease the burden on Trae Young.”
This season, Capela has played in 28 games, averaging 10.0 points, 9.4 assists and 1.0 blocks. Okongwu, on the other hand, has provided Atlanta 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 in 25 games off the bench. Both big men are getting almost the same amount of minutes, with 23, but the team has enjoyed having the backup center more.
3 centers linked to the Hawks ahead of the trade deadline
Ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, the Hawks have been linked to three big men to be part of trade packages.
- 3. Robert Williams III
Since the Boston Celtics traded for him, Robert Williams III has not had any opportunity. Because of this, the Portland Trail Blazers might trade him to Atlanta in return for Capela’s contract that is about to expire.
- Walker Kessler
If Atlanta wants to take on the younger approach, trading for Walker Kessler could work well for the team. At 7 feet tall, he’s a reliable rim protector on defense and a skilled physical finisher on the offensive end.
- Deandre Ayton
The Blazers have not maximized the talents of Deandre Ayton, which is why trading him to play alongside Young could be a better move. Additionally, Portland has a new young big man in Donovan Clingan, putting Ayton out of the team’s future plans.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
