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Atlanta Hawks: How the Hawks could trade for the Warriors’ No. 2 pick

By Larry Hammonds

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 09: Ballboys wear gloves while handling warmup basketballs as a precautionary measure prior to an NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 9, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 09: Ballboys wear gloves while handling warmup basketballs as a precautionary measure prior to an NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 9, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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NBA draft, Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
NBA draft, Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Does this trade work for the Golden State Warriors?

Trading with the Atlanta Hawks for Capela gives the Warriors an extra year with a starting center locked in and adds another All-Star to a roster that already has three of them. Last season Capela averaged 13.9 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.

He is under contract for one more year than Looney but is due $51.31 million over the next three seasons. With $130.2 million already committed to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green next season, this is not an ideal scenario for the Warriors.

Kevon Looney has shown the potential that he can be an integral part of the Warriors rotation, but injuries have held him back. That didn’t stop the Warriors from offering Looney a three-year, $15 million (with a third-year player option) contract prior to the 2019-20 season.

Capela would be an upgrade over Looney, there’s no doubt about it, but does he really improve their chances of making another title run enough to make it worth diving deeper into the luxury tax? I don’t think so.

Warriors general manager Bob Myers is more likely to agree to this trade if the Hawks are willing to throw in one of their younger players like De’Andre Hunter or Kevin Huerter.

Though they speak of making the playoffs next season, it is still unclear if the Hawks would be willing to break up their young core to meet that goal at this stage of the game.

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