This Hawks-Mavs trade proposal sends intriguing big to Dallas

One NBA writer is proposing that the Dallas Mavericks acquire Clint Capela from the Atlanta Hawks. Cal Durrett of FanSided proposed that the Mavericks trade Richaun Holmes, JaVale McGee and a 2027 first-round pick to the Hawks for Capela.

The Mavericks would like to acquire Capela from the 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 floor. 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. He will have earned over $130 million in his NBA career once his current contract is over. The veteran big man has career averages of 12.4 points and 10.7 rebounds with the Rockets and Hawks.

The Mavericks are seeking a pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, which is why they are targeting Capela. Dallas tried to trade for Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, but Cleveland wasn’t interested in moving the Texas product.