Atlanta Center Labeled as Player Who’s Been in One Place Too Long

Clint Capela has been a very good player for the Hawks since they acquired him in a trade in 2020. He played a big role in their Eastern Conference Finals a few seasons ago and is one of best defensive centers in the NBA. However, it seems likely that the Hawks will look to move him this summer. His contract is expiring and the team can either draft his replacement with the No. 1 pick (Alex Sarr or Donovan Clingan) or let Onyeka Okongwu finally take over. It doesn’t appear Capela will be a Hawk much longer, leading Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes to call him a player who’s been in one place too long:

“Whether the Atlanta Hawks institute a broader restructuring this offseason by trading Trae Young or Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela’s time with the team is likely coming to an end.

It’s only been four years since Atlanta signed Capela, who spent his first six seasons catching lobs from James Harden with the Houston Rockets. But as the 30-year-old center enters the final year of his contract amid the possibility of a very different Hawks team next season, the timing for a change within the 5 seems like the right time.

Capela’s limited offensive game and general inability to pass or dribble (he has 657 career turnovers compared to 614 assists) matter less on a team where Young and Murray dominate the ball and initiate almost all of the offense. The departure of either player would by default create a more egalitarian offensive approach, which could expose Capela’s flaws and further diminish his value.

The Hawks aren’t exactly convinced that Capela is a long-term solution. Onyeka Okongwu signed a four-year extension worth $62 million last summer, and it’s been hard to avoid the feeling that Atlanta (and many of its fans) want the younger big man and more versatile supports the first unit. At the very least, the Hawks need to recognize that paying a combined salary of $36.3 million in 2024-25 for two unspaced centers is too high, especially for a team that missed the playoffs last year.

Capela is far from done as a top-notch contributor. He led the league in total offensive rebounds last year and averaged a double-double in seven straight seasons. The Hawks should look to move him sooner rather than later, as his value will only decrease as he becomes a short-term rental by the day. »

Last month, NBA insider Mark Stein reported that the Atlanta Hawks center was “probably headed to the trade market” this offseason.

Even if the Hawks didn’t win the Draft Lottery, Capela was going to be mentioned in trade rumors. The Hawks signed Oneyka Okongwu to an extension last offseason and may want to move him into a starting role moving forward. Now that the Hawks have the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, they could choose the man many consider to be the best prospect in this draft, forward/center Alex Sarr. Atlanta has struggled on the defensive end in recent seasons and lacks size, athleticism and length, which Sarr brings in spades. He is 7’1, 220 LBS and has a wingspan of 7’4. He uses his athleticism well and would immediately be an impact guy on that side of the floor. He’s arguably the highest prospect in the draft at a position of need for the Hawks.

Would he play center for the Hawks? Power forward? I think it’s up for debate, but if the Hawks take him, would that mean the likelihood of center Clint Capela being traded would increase? I think that would be the case.

Capela has been great for the Hawks since they acquired him in February 2020 for next to nothing in a four-team deal involving the Hawks, Rockets, Nuggets and Timberwolves. He should have received more love as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in the 2020-21 season and was Atlanta’s anchor on the defensive end, a spot where they struggled. He has been the perfect lob threat for Trae Young in the pick-and-roll and is underrated among many for his impact on the team.

After the Hawks traded for Capela, they drafted Onyeka Okongwu with the No. 6 pick in 2020 and some thought Capela would only be in Atlanta for a few seasons until Okongwu took over full time. Not only did that not happen, but both players signed extensions with Atlanta. It doesn’t make much sense to have these two together on the team anymore and that was before the Hawks had the opportunity to take Sarr. Now that they can take on a high defensive prospect like Sarr, it makes even more sense to move Capela.

What kind of return could the Hawks get for Capela?

I would temper your expectations regarding the potential return if you are a Hawks fan. Capela is entering the final year of his contract and is not much of an offensive threat. He had a 2023-24 season that was a bit of a step down from his usual level of play, but he still provides upside as a shot blocker and rebounder. You could see Capela packaged with another player in a deal.

Watch out for teams like Oklahoma City, Memphis and perhaps New Orleans to be interested, as all of these teams need a player like Capela. It could be a set of second-round picks sent to Atlanta or possibly a rotation player.