Hawks landing No. 1 pick could lead ex-NBA rebounding leader to trade market

One of the NBA’s premier board men could be on the move this summer.

Evan Sidery of Forbes reports this week that Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela is seen as a “probable” trade candidate this offseason. Sidery notes that Capela is on an expiring contract that will pay him roughly $22.3 million next season.

Atlanta just landed the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Seven-footer Alex Sarr is seen as the likely top selection, which would throw Capela’s situation into flux if the Hawks were to take Sarr.

Still just 29 years old, Capela led the NBA in rebounding during the 2020-21 campaign and remained productive last season as well with 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game over 73 starts for the Hawks. But Capela also saw his fewest minutes per game since 2016-17 as he was pushed to the fringes a bit by younger big men like Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu.

It is still possible that the Hawks ultimately decide to trade away the No. 1 pick (a scenario that their general manager recently addressed). But if they stand pat and draft Sarr at No. 1 overall, it may effectively spell the end of Capela’s tenure in Atlanta.