Hawks Insistent on Trading One Specific Player Before Deadline

The Atlanta Hawks surprisingly find themselves just 2.5 games out of the 3-seed in the Eastern Conference. After selling off Dejounte Murray in the offseason, and pondering whether to trade Trae Young as well during the summer, the Hawks will now be looking to fortify their roster for a playoff push.

And to do that, they're dangling—no, make that wanting to trade—center Clint Capela, according to insider Jake Fischer. He tells us, in the SteinLine newsletter, that Atlanta "would like to find a new home" for the big man in advance of the Feb. 6th trade deadline.

The Hawks are canvassing the trade market utilizing Clint Capela’s $22.3 million expiring contract for a rotational upgrade.

Atlanta is in a position to become buyers only 2.5 games out of the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. pic.twitter.com/ZPzeLZLBOk
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 16, 2024

Capela is on an expiring contract at $22.3M, and becomes a free agent at season's end. He's become more expendable as the Hawks have leaned more and more on young center Onyeka Okongwu. His minutes have ticked just slightly ahead of Capela's as the season has worn on, along with his point production, at 11.3 ppg to Capela's 10 ppg, which is a 10-year low for the veteran.

In addition, the Hawks showed their intentions of making Okongwu their center of the future by signing the now 24-year-old to a four-year, $62 million extension one year ago.

Most likely, Atlanta will use Capela to look for a young rotation piece that can help them this year. A perimeter defender and a backup point guard seem to be their main needs.

Capela is 30, and can be a fine rim runner, rim protector and defender for teams in need.