The 2024 NBA offseason is at a standstill. Until training camp opens in nearly a month, things could remain quiet around the league unless an unexpected trade happens. With Lauri Markkanen re-signing with the Utah Jazz, there aren’t many big names left on the trade market. Could the Pelicans trade Brandon Ingram? Would the Bulls finally be able to trade Zach LaVine? Other players like Jerami Grant, Cam Johnson, and Dorian Finney-Smith have also been the subject of trade rumors.
The two most interesting teams of the offseason were the Atlanta Hawks and the Golden State Warriors. Atlanta knew they needed to make roster changes after losing the NBA Play-In Tournament to the Chicago Bulls and they made some roster changes. They sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans in exchange for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance, EJ Liddell, Cody Zeller and two first-round picks. They also selected French forward Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick, but the Hawks could still make some roster moves. Clint Capela, Nance and De’Andre Hunter have all been the subject of trade rumors.
Golden State lost Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks, but it’s safe to say they’ve gotten better this offseason. They’ve made trades to get players like De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson to improve their roster. They may not have been able to make big moves like the Markkanen trade, but the Warriors should be a playoff contender. Could they make more trades? Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed this exchange for the Hawks and Warriors:
Golden State Warriors host: Clint Capela
Atlanta Hawks receive: Moses Moody, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney and a 2026 second-round pick (via ATL)
“There were times last season where the Warriors looked undersized and overmatched at center. So far, they’ve simply carried that weakness over into the new season, as they’ve left the position largely untouched this offseason, save for adding Quinten Post with the 52nd pick.
Adding Capela into the mix would suddenly give the Dubs legitimate size (6’10”, 240 lbs), length and athleticism up the middle. The 30-year-old is a walking double-double who could add both basket protection and a reliable short-range finish.
He may not be the kind of star Golden State has been trying to acquire, but he would be a notable addition. Overall, Capela’s clubs have scored 3.4 points per 100 possessions better with him than without him over his 10-year career.
That would send a clear message to Stephen Curry that the franchise is still trying to build a contender around him. And if Capela and the other newcomers (Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton) mesh as well in practice as they do on paper, the Warriors could be one leap from Jonathan Kuminga or even one bounce from Andrew Wiggins away from joining the title race.
The Hawks, meanwhile, could see some subtraction additions since Capela’s departure would finally open up a starting spot for former lottery pick Onyeka Okongwu. Atlanta would also have the 2024-25 season to decide whether Moody is worth keeping, and it could either move Payton and Looney into supporting roles or sell them on the trade market.
I actually like this trade for the Hawks, but I don’t know if the Warriors will do it. While Capela is still a good defender and rebounder, spacing on offense with Capela and Draymond Green would be a big issue, even if their defense is good. If they could figure that out, this could be a beneficial trade for them. Capela is on an expiring contract and the Warriors would free up some money for next offseason.
The Hawks have been rumored to be looking to trade Capela for much of the offseason, but they won’t make a deal just to make a deal. They still value Capela and what he brings to the organization and won’t trade him unless they get good value. I think this could be very good value for an older player on an expiring contract.
The Capela trade allows the Hawks to determine if Onyeka Okongwu is the starting center of the future and get Looney in the trade. Additionally, getting Larry Nance allows the Hawks to maintain good depth at center. Gary Payton II is a great defender when healthy and that is the number one issue the Hawks need to address. Moody is a young player who has been buried on the Warriors depth chart and the Hawks would have a year to evaluate him and see if he fits their vision for the team long-term. All of these players are also on expiring contracts, so if Atlanta doesn’t like what they see, they could try to trade them at the deadline or simply have their contracts expire at the end of the year and free up money going forward. This trade also keeps the Hawks under the luxury tax. If they were to complete this deal, they would have to make some roster moves to free up cap space since they are trading one player and getting three back.
This trade is unlikely, but it could be beneficial for both sides, even if it is not perfect.
