Atlanta Hawks expected to make starter available trade

The Atlanta Hawks have many critical decisions to make this offseason. In addition to likely star guard Trae Young, the Hawks also own the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft this summer. However, it appears the Hawks have other moves to make. According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Hawks could trade center Clint Capela this offseason.

“Capela, who turned 30 on Saturday, will have an expiring contract next season at $22.3 million after averaging 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots this season. The presence of Onyeka Okongwu and the potential arrival of another big man in the draft, with Atlanta holding the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1975, should make Capela available.

Capela has been the team’s starting center since 2020 and led the league in rebounding in 2021. However, the 10-year veteran averaged 10.6 rebounds per game last season, his lowest mark since the 2017-18 season.

Atlanta Hawks expected to make starter available trade

What Clint Capela Brings to the Table

Although his rebounding averages dropped last season, Capela remains one of the best rebounders in the NBA. Additionally, as a big man playing primarily near the rim, Capela is also an exceptional rim protector. Last season, the former Houston Rockets big man averaged 1.5 blocks per game. However, while he is a good shot blocker, Capela isn’t much of a defender outside of the paint. Offensively, he is an efficient scorer who knows how to use his athleticism to his advantage. However, just like his defense, his offensive game takes a hit the further he gets from the paint.

Capela is not an elite center, but he has many valuable tools. Especially for teams looking to play at the center position, Capela could be a solid option. However, the Swiss native only has one year left on his contract. Because of this, it might be difficult for a team to pull the trigger on a trade for Capela if he turns out to be a rental.

What a Clint Capela trade would mean for the Hawks

If the Hawks decide to trade Capela, it will likely mean the official start of their retooling phase. This is especially true if the team also trades Young, which seems inevitable at this point. Last week, Shams Charania of The Athletic talked about the likelihood of the Hawks trading Young. Although Young has publicly expressed his desire to stay in Atlanta, Charania reports that Young may want a trade if the team decides not to build “a competitive team around him this offseason.”

“If Trae Young doesn’t think the Hawks are planning to build a competitive team around him this offseason, there will be serious discussions about his future within the organization. The dialogue between Young and the Hawks is expected to begin this week and continue through draft night.

Despite reaching the Play-In Tournament this year, the Hawks officially missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Leaving Capela and Young could be the right move for the team to move on and change their priorities.