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

Does this trade work for the Atlanta Hawks?

By trading Capela for Looney in this deal, the Hawks not only move up in the draft but they create approximately $11.2 million more cap space, which will give them a chance to add a veteran via free agency and make a playoff push. Removing the 66.2 million Capela is due over the next three seasons also gives the Hawks more cap flexibility in the future.

Capela is a superior rebounder, but Looney is essentially the same player. They are both rim- running bigs with a lot of bounce and the ability to protect the rim.

The greatest benefit from having Capela on the roster besides his ability to alter shots and rebound is his playoff experience. Despite being just 24 years old, Looney has appeared in more playoff games than anyone on the Hawks roster, not named Capela.

Similar to Capela, Looney comes with durability questions. He was limited to 58 games his first two seasons due to multiple hip surgeries and a subsequent hip strain. He suffered a fractured collarbone and broken cartilage in his chest during the 2019 playoffs and was limited to 20 games this past season.

Still, Looney is two years younger and only has two years left on his contract ($5.17 million player option for the 2021-22 season).

Though Capela never got a chance to suit up for the Hawks, a chance to create even more cap space and an opportunity to move up a few slots in the draft and select James Wiseman makes this trade worth it doing for Atlanta.