With the NBA trade deadline approaching, front offices across the league are diving deep into their rosters, searching for ways to strike the right deal. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement has added layers of complexity to trade negotiations.
However, for savvy executives willing to get creative, the opportunity to shake things up is still very much alive. The Atlanta Hawks have teased their potential this season with standout wins over contenders like the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavs.
However, they've also revealed their inconsistency, suffering multiple letdowns against the lowly Washington Wizards. Here's a deep dive into their current trade deadline outlook
Atlanta Hawks draft picks
This past summer, the Atlanta Hawks continued to retool their asset chest, sending Dejounte Murray to San Antonio for two first-round picks—a 2025 selection via the Los Angeles Lakers and a 2027 pick (the least favorable between the Milwaukee Bucks or New Orleans Pelicans).
They also recouped a first-rounder in the Kevin Huerter deal with Sacramento, which will convey either this year or next. Add in their six second-round picks, and Atlanta has the flexibility to make some moves.
Atlanta Hawks salary situation
The Hawks are hard-capped at the First Apron and sit $1.3 million below the luxury tax. This financial positioning makes it challenging to absorb significant salaries, so any move must balance their cap situation carefully.
Player to watch for the Hawks
One name to watch is Clint Capela, who is in the final year of his two-year veteran extension and set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. Capela’s numbers have dipped this season—he’s averaging 9.4 points and 9 rebounds per game, his lowest totals in eight years.
A big reason for the decline is the emergence of Onyeka Okongwu. The 23-year-old has been taking on a larger role, logging more minutes, and even stretching the floor a bit with 16 made threes this season. Most importantly, Okongwu is under contract through 2028, making it unlikely the Hawks would extend Capela.
Despite his reduced role, Capela remains a highly valuable player, particularly for win-now teams needing rebounding, rim protection, and playoff experience. It’s hard to imagine the Hawks letting him walk for nothing in free agency, so shopping him ahead of the deadline seems like the smart play.
What’s the move for the Hawks?
The Hawks have options. They could explore a deal centered around Capela to acquire more draft capital, continuing to bolster their future core alongside emerging talents like Jalen Johnson, who is enjoying a breakout year.
Alternatively, Atlanta could package Capela, Bogdan Bogdanović, a minimum salary filler, and some picks in a blockbuster deal to bring in a win-now piece—Miami comes to mind as a potential trade partner, as tension with their star Jimmy Butler continues to boil.
Whatever the direction, Capela’s expiring contract is a pivotal piece of the Hawks’ puzzle. Whether they aim to retool for the future or push for immediate contention, his situation is one to watch closely as the trade deadline approaches.