After yet another middling season, the Atlanta Hawks find themselves stuck in the play-in tournament. It isn't a hot take to point out that this team is destined for a first-round exit against either Cleveland or Boston. Atlanta has a great young roster that simply isn't deep enough to deal with the scorers that either franchise will throw at the Hawks. Still, there is hope in Atlanta's future and what the fanbase is a defining 2025 offseason.
One of the bigger decisions the Hawks will have to make during the offseason is Clint Capela's future. The aging center has been a great rim protector and lob threat for Tray Young. However, there is no denying the veteran no longer fits the team's timetable or the direction they appear to be moving in. Clint returning for another season would be a big surprise.
Clint Capela No Longer Fits Atlanta's Timeline as They Continue to Reset a Young Roster
Trae Young has done a nice job this season taking a step back and working to reinvent himself to better fit the Atlanta roster. For much of the season, the shot attempts have been down, and his assists are up. Add in an improved effort on defense, and it is clear the team will continue to build around Trae while looking to hopefully bring in a second star to push the roster over the top.
Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, and Onyeka Okungwu are Atlanta's young core. A group that is more than capable of taking a step forward and becoming a high seed in the East. Still, the roster is in need of an upgrade, adding a second scorer to help take pressure off Trae and allow the continued development of a young roster.
For this reason, there simply isn't the free cap space the team can use to justify paying Capela. As valuable as the center has been during his run with the Hawks, it is clearly time for the franchise to turn the page. Capela first joined the Hawks as part of a four-team trade in 2020. The move was pivotal in Atlanta's surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals a year later.
Aside from the need to add an additional scorer, it is clear Capela no longer fits what this team needs. Outside of Young, the Hawks are built around capable defenders who can switch easily and play a brand of positionless basketball. It is time to move on from the veteran and allow Capela a chance to find a better fit with a veteran team.