Mavs Have 'No Common Ground' in Trade Talks For Hawks' Clint Capela
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks have been linked together in trade rumors ahead of the NBA Draft. With the Mavs holding the 10th pick and facing a need to add established talent, a trade down scenario involving the Hawks' 15th pick has become something to keep an eye on.
The initial reporting from Yahoo! Sports' Jake Fischer mentioned John Collins as the player the Mavs discussed taking back in a potential trade framework. The two teams discussed the Mavs sending out Davis Bertans' contract with the 10th pick in exchange for John Collins and the 15th pick.
It was later reported that Clint Capela is the Hawks veteran that the Mavs want to take back in a trade scenario scenario with Atlanta. Understandably so, he's an elite rebounder, impactful rim protector, and lob threat. He averaged 12.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 65 games, while shooting 65.3 percent from the floor.
How close are the Mavs and Hawks to reaching a trade agreement? According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the two front offices have found "no common ground" in discussions due to the veterans involved in trade talks.
"The Hawks and Mavericks, league sources say, have found no common ground to date on their discussions about the veterans that would be involved in a deal to potentially swap first-round picks Thursday," Stein wrote.
The hold up in trade discussions remains the Hawks' unwillingness to include Capela instead of Collins in a potential deal.
"Atlanta wants John Collins attached to its No. 15 pick in exchange for Dallas’ No. 10 selection and Dāvis Bertāns, as first reported by Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer," Stein wrote. "Dallas wants Trae Young favorite Clint Capela swapped in for Collins to import Capela for the clear upgrade at center that the Mavericks seek this offseason."
From a basketball perspective, Collins makes very little sense for the Mavs. His shooting has regressed significantly and he lacks the physical tools to execute a high level when guarding out in space or protecting the rim. However, asking a team in need of reducing salary of their own to take on Bertans' contract complicates things.
As DallasBasketball.com as covered many times throughout the offseason, the main challenge the Mavs face when canvassing the trade market is the requirement to attach an unfavorable contract for salary matching. It impacts the value of the 10th pick in a trade package if Tim Hardaway Jr. or Bertans are included.
The Mavs' priorities are clear regarding roster improvement: defense and rebounding. Dallas ranked 25th in defensive rating and 30th in total rebounding percentage during the 2022-23 season.
"I think for us going into the offseason, the two biggest things that we need to work on is defense and rebounding," Mavs general manager Nico Harrison said of the team's needs during his exit interview. "That's going to be addressed."
An important element of the Mavs' roster reconfiguration to address their needs surely needs to begin with the center position. As Stein reported recently, the team plans to "remake" the center position with Christian Wood and Dwight Powell set to enter free agency. If a trade was to be completed, Capela would be an impactful option.
The Hawks will need to balance out their future salary spending obligations with Dejounte Murray and Onyeka Okongwu among others both being due for new contracts next summer. Capela is set to earn $20.6 million in 2023-24 with a final-year salary of $22.3 million in 2024-25.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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