NBA Rumor: Dallas Mavs' Trade Interest in Atlanta Hawks' Clint Capela Has 'Faded'

After being linked with the Dallas Mavericks over the offseason, Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela apparently isn't a priority for Luka Doncic's squad following the emergence of rookie center Dereck Lively II.

The Dallas Mavericks' starting center position is no longer a problem for star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, as they have found favor with rookie center Dereck Lively II.

"He's great. Obviously, he has a great potential, and he already is a great player, but now you see how they're really afraid of him," Doncic said of Lively following Dallas' 50-point win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Before Lively's breakout rookie campaign started, the Mavs were linked to Atlanta Hawks' center Clint Capela several times over the summer. According to a recent report by HoopsHype, though, Dallas' trade interest in Capela apparently isn't what it used to be.

After being linked with the Dallas Mavericks all offseason, Atlanta Hawks Center Clint Capela has lost interest with the Mavs following the emergence of rookie center Dereck Lively II / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

"Another Hawks frontcourt player, center Clint Capela, was linked to the Mavericks this offseason, but with the emergence of rookie center Dereck Lively, Dallas’ trade interest in Capela has since faded," Michael Scotto wrote.

Lively's improvement has been a godsend for the 13-8 Mavs, as he's averaging 8.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks this season. Lively currently sits at No. 8 on the NBA's rookie ladder as a valuable pick-and-roll option for Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and there's a legitimate argument that he should probably be higher.

"Yea, at halftime I told him don’t look to pass, go finish. I thought he did a great job with that because he is a willing passer, so that will make the game easier as it goes," Kidd said following Lively's career night of 20 points, 16 rebounds and seven blocks against the Oklahoma City Thunder last weekend. "If you can’t finish, he’s going to have wide open guy in either corner, so I thought he did a great job there in the second half.”

Not only is Lively an important piece for the Mavs' longterm future, but he's just as important in the present, as he's arguably solidified himself as the team's third-best player behind Doncic and Irving. If Lively can stay healthy, the Mavs shouldn't have a hard time securing a playoff appearance this season, and they'll be a tough out when/if they get there.