5 potential landing spots for Clint Capela as Hawks list center on trade market to seek defensive upgrade
Less than two months from the Feb. 6 trade deadline, the Atlanta Hawks have reportedly put center Clint Capela in the trade market, as per NBA insiders.
On Friday, The Stein Line's Jake Fischer reported that Capela had been made available for trades:
On Monday, Forbes' Evan Siddery also mentioned Capela's availability:
Capela joins a list of NBA big men rumored to be in the trade market. This includes Jonas Valanciunas and Nikola Vucevic, among others. Several teams are expected to be interested in Capela, as the center is on an attractive $22.4 million expiring contract.
Teams, especially those with tax implications already, would want the flexibility that an expiring contract brings.
Atlanta (14-14) has been a surprise lately, a run to the NBA Cup semifinals wherein they emerged from the group with defending champions Boston Celtics and league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. But there has been a glaring issue since last season: defense. Per Bleacher Report's Adam Wells, one of the Hawks' most immediate needs is a perimeter defender alongside All-Star Trae Young.
The team has won seven of its last 10 games but allowed opposing teams to score an average of 113.7 points in their previous five. This includes giving up 110 points during Atlanta's NBA Cup semifinal loss against the eventual tournament champions, Milwaukee Bucks. Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combined for 57 points.
During 2023-24, the Hawks finished 27th in points allowed per game (118.4 points). This year, they are giving up 113.5 points (17th in the league).
With Atlanta, Capela wasn't required to shoot 3s as his primary role was to catch lobs from Young and provide paint protection. He is a career 54.5% free throw shooter while averaging 10.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. Capela has started 300 out of the 303 games he played for Atlanta since arriving from Houston in February 2020.
The Hawks are now seemingly ready to move on from the center and give the starting keys to Onyeka Okongwu, who signed a four-year, $62 million extension in October 2023.
The Hawks could stack on future draft assets or exchange a younger player who can help on defense.
Here's a closer look at five potential landing spots for Capela.
5 potential landing spots for Clint Capela
#5. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have struggled early this season. The team split its last 10 games and had fallen to eighth place in the stacked Western Conference with a 14-12 record. For a team with high expectations and championship aspirations, it has underperformed.
Phoenix could explore swapping current starting center Jusuf Nurkic and adding other salaries. The team could also send Grayson Allen to Atlanta, known for his scrappy defense.
#4. Golden State Warriors
Golden State boasts an undersized front-court rotation with Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney.
Albeit coach Steve Kerr's fascination for small lineups, Golden State has been rumored to have interest in Vucevic recently. Capela can be an option for Kerr, given Capela's defensive presence and lob threat. The Warriors have the salaries and draft picks that potentially lure Atlanta.
#3. Philadelphia 76ers
By trading for Capela, the Sixers would bring in a solid center who can start games for coach Nick Nurse. Capela can also come off the bench to relieve Joel Embiid, whose injury woes are a lingering concern for Philadelphia, which is 8-16 this season.
#2. New York Knicks
Before acquiring All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns last summer, the Knicks explored the possibility of acquiring Capela and his expiring contract. New York can explore that now as ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Mitchell Robinson's return has been pushed back to possibly until February. Given Robinson's injury history, the Knicks will be cautious about him.
With that, New York needs a big man off their bench behind Towns. And if Towns is unavailable, Capela could log solid minutes for coach Tom Thibodeau.
Read More: NBA Rumors: Knicks zero in on Hawks center in search for final big man for 2024-25 season
#1. LA Lakers
Clutch Point's Brett Siegel reported that sources believe that LA could land Washington Wizard's center Valanciunas. Coach JJ Redick has mentioned the Lakers' need for a big man and with LA's time with LeBron James dwindling, they need an immediate boost. With another big, Anthony Davis could slot into his natural position at the four.
Capela could be an option for the Lakers as well. He can play alongside Davis in the starting lineup or come off the bench. Clint Capela is still an effective center and can impact any team right away.
Which team do you think should look to add Clint Capela to its roster? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.