NBA Trade Intel Links Mavs To Hawks’ Clint Capela

The Dallas Mavericks would like to acquire Clint Capela from the Atlanta Hawks, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

The Hawks are trying to acquire Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. Stein reports that the Mavericks could trade for Capela as a third team in a potential Siakam deal.

“You can safely presume that the Dallas Mavericks are rooting for Atlanta to win the trade race for Toronto’s Siakam,” Stein wrote. “And that they’re also hoping such a trade features Hawks center Clint Capela as opposed to a strictly De’Andre Hunter-centric deal. Capela has two seasons left on his current contract valued at nearly $43 million.

“The Raptors would appear to have little need for a pricey center after re-signing Jakob Poeltl this month to a four-year deal worth $78 million, so a theoretical trade of Siakam to the Hawks that features Capela would open the door for Dallas to join the trade as a third team or pursue a separate deal with Toronto for Capela.”

Capela averaged 12.0 points and 11.0 rebounds last season for the Hawks while shooting 65.3% from the field. The 29-year-old signed a two-year, $45.5 million contract extension with Atlanta in September 2021. Capela, who began his career with the Houston Rockets, will make $20.6 million next season.

The Hawks lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in six games. Capela averaged 8.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in the six-game series. However, he had a plus-minus of -8 in Game 1, -5 in Game 2, -6 in Game 5 and -13 in Game 6.

The Mavericks need a new center since they will not be re-signing Christian Wood. Capela does most of his damage on lob dunks and Dallas has two of the past drivers and passers in the league in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

The Mavericks are seeking a pick-and-roll partner for Doncic and Irving. Dallas tried to trade for Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Jarrett Allen, but Cleveland wasn’t interested in moving the Texas product.