Clint Capela Reportedly Expected to Leave Hawks in NBA Free Agency After Trade Rumors

Veteran center Clint Capela is expected to land with a new team in free agency after spending the past five years with the Atlanta Hawks, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

For much of his time in Atlanta, Capela was a source of trade speculation. There wasn't an offseason or trade deadline that went by without him getting mentioned as an outgoing piece in a deal to improve the supporting cast around Trae Young.

Now, the writing is pretty much on the wall for the 31-year-old after he had his worst season in a Hawks uniform. Limited to 55 appearances, he averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and one block in 21.4 minutes per contest.

Onyeka Okongwu, meanwhile, just wrapped up the first year of the $62 million extension he signed with Atlanta. The 2020 first-round pick took over as the starting center in January and didn't look back.

For Capela, a return to Atlanta wouldn't make a lot of sense when he's all but assured of backing up Okongwu. And if another team isn't willing to make him the starter, then he could at least be the backup on a team with better playoff odds in 2025-26.

With Capela's exit looking likely, the Hawks will have a void in their frontcourt, one that might be addressed through the draft. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected them to take Maryland center Derik Queen with the No. 13 overall pick.