The Atlanta Hawks are one team that many people are going to be keeping an eye on during the 2024 NBA offseason. They are one of the biggest disappointments in the league this season, as they are 31-39 and holding onto the last spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference.
That certainly isn’t what ownership and the front office had in mind when they completed the massive blockbuster trade during the 2022 offseason, acquiring Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. There was optimism that adding Murray would elevate the team to the next level; instead, they have sunk closer to the bottom of the conference.
Murray is one name that has popped up in some NBA rumors, as he was a popular target in mock trades ahead of the deadline in February. He will be someone to keep an eye on, as will center Clint Capela.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Clint Capela & Atlanta Hawks Updates
In an update provided by Gran Afseth of NBA Analysis Network, Capela is someone the Hawks could shop this offseason. The motivation for trading him is twofold. Ownership doesn’t want to pay tax for such an expensive roster that isn’t winning and Atlanta has an excellent young player in Onyeka Okongwu ready for an expanded role.
“With an expensive payroll for a team with a losing record in the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks could continue a cost-cutting process already begun this season by trading John Collins to the Utah Jazz in what proved to be a salary dump move.
Capela will earn $22.3 million on an expiring salary during the 2024-25 season. Sources tell NBA Analysis Network that the team desires to expand Onyeka Okongwu‘s role in the future, making Capela a trade candidate to watch this summer,” wrote Afseth.
Capela has seen his role shrink slightly this season, as he is averaging 25.3 minutes per game. This is the fifth consecutive season that his minutes per game have gone down compared to the previous, as Capela is falling out of favor with head coach Quin Snyder.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Clint Capela & Atlanta Hawks Updates
In addition to the minutes played, his effectiveness has waned as well. Since leading the NBA with 14.1 rebounds per game in his first season with the Hawks, Capela’s rebounding numbers have fallen off, too, as his rebounding percentage has gone down each season along with his playing time.
The Hawks signed Okongwu to a four-year, $62 million extension ahead of the deadline for rookie extensions prior to the 2023-24 NBA regular season. Atlanta isn’t going to pay a backup that kind of money, so it makes sense they would make Capela available and look to move on from him.
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