Insider sheds potentially revealing light on Hawks’ plans for Clint Capela

The Atlanta Hawks’ roster may see fewer changes than expected following the 2024 NBA draft and free agency.

With Zaccharie Risacher in two and Dejounte Murray now a player for the New Orleans Pelicans, the Hawks were expected to turn their attention to anyone on the list not named Jalen Johnson (or Risacher).

It was should include starting center Clint Capela, but that might not be the case.

Will Guillory of The Athletic noted the presence of Pelicans star Brandon Ingram to replace Murray. He also noted the presence of Capela and backup Onyeka Okongwu.

“As it appeared, Atlanta hasn’t generated much interest “By giving Ingram his next contract or moving one of his top two centers (Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu), according to league sources,” Guillory wrote on July 8 (subscription required).

Ingram is entering the final year of a five-year, $158.2 million contract.

The Hawks instead received a package that included 2022 No. 8 overall pick Dyson Daniels and a pair of future first-round picks.

Guillory’s take on Capela is a bit of a turnaround. Capela, 30, is coming off his seventh straight season with a double-double. He averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks — his best mark since the 2021-22 season — and 1.2 assists last season.

His 63.1 percent shooting average from the free throw line is his best since 2018-19.

The 6-foot-2, 260-pound center is entering the final year of a two-year, $46 million contract extension, a potentially attractive feature in trade talks.

However, Capela has also been a true symbol of stability for the Hawks during their run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020-21. He is one of six players on the current roster who were also part of that team.

Capela posted on third best efficiency differential among the Hawks in 2023-24, according to Cleaning The Glass.

Conversely, Okongwu’s differential ranks seventh among the 12 Hawks who played at least 500 minutes last season. Okongwu is entering a four-year, $61.9 million contract. He has expanded his scope over the past two seasons, earning him some minutes at the 4 in 2024-25.

The Hawks also added Larry Nance Jr. and Cody Zeller in the Murray trade.

Nance is in the final year of a two-year, $21.6 million pact while Zeller received a three-year, $11 million contract because he was acquired in a sign-and-trade.

Bruno Fernando had his guaranteed date on the final year of his four-year, $10.8 million contract pushed back, which could signal he’s the first out of the rotation. He also gave the Hawks solid production last season when called upon.

The Hawks have the eighth most expensive center group in the NBA, as currently constructed.

De’Andre Hunter, who was also mired in trade rumorshas proven he can contribute as a starter or backup, which gives the Hawks some flexibility with Risacher. Risacher’s contract softens the blow of the second year of Hunter’s four-year, $90 million contract.

How the start of the season goes could very well determine who else from the group is traded at the deadline.

But the Hawks reorganized during the offseason.

They put a lot of length and athleticism around three-time All-Star point guard Trae Young, hoping that will help them get back to the playoffs after missing the playoffs for the first time since last season in 2019-20.