NBA Trade Rumors: Clint Capela is gaining interest from LA Clippers
The LA Clippers are reportedly interested in Clint Capela as the league’s trade rumors continue to heat up.
Sam Amico of Hoopswire reported that sources have said there would be no surprise if the Clippers aim for Clint Capela as a backup center for Ivica Zubac.
The Clippers (11-7), fourth in the West, have not been doing as well as most guessed prior to the season. The team is fourth in the Westen Conference, which really is not bad considering Kawhi Leonard has been out, and now Paul George’s absence.
Right now, Moses Brown is the only backup for Zubac. Getting Capelia behind Ivica would be a big move.
If the Hawks were to trade away Clint, they would still be left with two centers: Onyeka Okongwu and Frank Kaminsky.
It has been rumored that LA would be “willing to surrender point guard John Wall as a part of any trade,” as they look to fill in some bigger positions.
John Collins is another play from Atlanta whose name has hit the trade block. Sources told Hoopswire that they would “not be surprised to see (LA) get involved.”
The Clippers could make a run at Clint Capela, per @AmicoHoops https://t.co/hpmEFXjOZp
Capela has averaged 11.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 17 games. His efforts as a big man have been prominent.
Zubac has averaged 9.8 ppg, 11.2 rpg and 1.4 apg in18 games. If the Clippers were to trade for Capela, they would be adding another big who provides numbers the same as their current primary center. That would be a big move, especially when they already have Leonard and PG.
Can the Hawks survive without Clint Capela?
Capela was drafted 25th in 2014 by the Houston Rockets, playing with them until 2020, when he was traded to the Hawks.
Capela is averaging more points (12.8), and more rebounds (12.9) for Atlanta than he did for the Rockets. His efforts increased where they needed to, and he has continued to play his role very well. This is something that the Clippers would benefit from, and something Atlanta would miss.
Onyeka Okongwu, a 21-year-old center for the Hawks, has played in 16 games season, averaging 8.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 1.0 apg. His numbers are all up from his career averages, so he could be growing into a role that Atlanta might need filled.
Okongwu has a career field-goal percentage of 66.8%, which is admirable. If he were to step more into his role as a rebounder, Atlanta would arguably be fine without Capela. There would be a noticeable gap, but Onyeka has the potential to fill it.
It goes without saying that Clint’s dominance as a big would be missed and that Okongwu would have to show his size a little more on the court. If he can manage, Atlanta might be able to come out on top of this exchange if it were to happen.
Otherwise, they might be left with a spot that they will need to sacrifice players or picks to fill, and that might cave the squad.