The Atlanta Hawks shocked everyone when they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Their defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers in the semifinals ended ‘The Process’ as we knew it as Game 7 was the last time we saw Ben Simmons suit up for the team.
People were excited about the direction the Hawks were heading in, as they looked like they could be the next emerging contender in the Eastern Conference. However, they haven’t gotten close to replicating that level of success.
Atlanta’s front office took a risk, bringing back essentially the same team in hopes of competing again. That didn’t work, as the team was eliminated in the first round. So, a lot of those moves were undone during the 2022 offseason.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks Updates
The team acquired Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs, hoping he would be the ideal backcourt partner for Trae Young. Again, things didn’t pan out as hoped, as the Hawks were first-round fodder for the second straight postseason.
Things have taken another turn for the worse during the 2023-24 NBA regular season. Atlanta is 12-18, tied for 11th place in the Eastern Conference. They are a team that many people are keeping an eye on as we approach the deadline, as the Hawks have a few players who could be on the move.
Who could the team look to trade? According to an NBA executive who spoke to NBA Analysis Network, two players have emerged to keep an eye on; center Clint Capela and forward De’Andre Hunter.
“Atlanta is looking to move off of [Clint] Capela and [De’Andre] Hunter, that’s something to keep an eye on before the [trade] deadline,” the executive said.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks Updates
Capela’s presence on the trade block isn’t too surprising given the fact that Atlanta has Onyeka Ogonkwu waiting in the wings. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft signed a four-year, $62 million extension before the season and is the Hawks’ center of the future.
Hunter signed a four-year, $95 million extension before the 2022-23 season. The No. 4 overall pick has not quite developed into the two-way difference-maker the team was hoping for. With luxury tax concerns looming, the Hawks could look to move him with Saddiq Bey and A.J. Griffin being two players capable of picking up his minutes.
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