Inside The Wizards

Wizards Named Landing Spot for Hawks Center

The Washington Wizards could make a trade with a division rival in the Atlanta Hawks.

Jeremy Brener

Oct 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) and forward Corey Kispert (24) fight for a rebound with Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) and center Clint Capela (15) during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Oct 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) and forward Corey Kispert (24) fight for a rebound with Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) and center Clint Capela (15) during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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The Washington Wizards are expected to be an active team in trade talks leading up to the Feb. 6 deadline.

Not only can the Wizards look to acquire future draft picks, but they can also make moves for teams looking to offload some big contracts.

That's why Bleacher Report writer Eric Pincus listed the Wizards as a potential landing spot for Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela, who could be dealt to give more playing time to the younger Onyeka Okongwu.

"Capela, 30, is expendable if the Hawks can find a way to improve at center. His expiring contract may land him on a team that needs a defensive center who can help a team without needing to score—or as trade ballast in a multi-team deal (potentially leading to a buyout with a team like the Washington Wizards)," Pincus writes.

The Wizards would have to match Capela's $22.2 million expiring contract, and they have some pieces that make them capable of doing that. They can trade veteran center Jonas Valanciunas, who is making just over $10 million or Kyle Kuzma, who has $23 million dedicated to him on the payroll this season.

Capela would almost certainly be bought out if he was traded to the Wizards, and that would allow Washington to open up a roster spot that it can use to sign a younger player to a deal in hopes of giving him an opportunity to be part of the team moving forward.

If the Wizards can get creative at the trade deadline, look for them to be part of a trade or two like this.

The Wizards are back in action tomorrow night as they take on MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Make sure you bookmark Washington Wizards on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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