NBA Rumors: Hawks' Clint Capela 'Likely' to Be on Trade Market During Offseason
May 19, 2024
Clint Capela may find a new home this Summer.
NBA insider Mark Stein reported that the Atlanta Hawks center is "likely bound for the trade market" in the offseason.
Capela averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 73 games for Atlanta in 2023-24. He has been with the franchise since 2020-21, after spending the previous six seasons of his career with the Houston Rockets.
Capela has one year remaining on his contract with the Hawks and is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency following the season. He will have a cap hit of $22.2 million and could potentially be a solid piece for a team looking for a short-term big man.
He is likely expendable due to the presence of 23-year-old Onyeka Okongwu, who averaged 10.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 55 games with eight starts in 2023-24. He is under contract through 2027-28 and maximizing his development may be more of a preference for Atlanta.
Additionally, the Hawks possess the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft due to some lottery luck and could have some excellent big man options on Draft night. This includes Australian center Alex Sarr, who was mocked to the Hawks in Jonathan Wasserman's most recent Bleacher Report mock draft.
With options and youth at the position, it appears that Atlanta may offer Capela's services to the highest bidder.
