So long to this duo!
With free agency kicking off tonight at 6 PM EDT, the Hawks were expected to make some moves around the edges and possible push out contributors to last year’s team. Well now, the Hawks have reportedly said goodbye to the starting center for the majority of the last fives seasons.
Shams Charania of ESPN has news on Clint Capela’s future:
Free agent center Clint Capela has agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Major frontcourt addition – and return to Houston for Capela. pic.twitter.com/1l20sBt9p2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Capela was acquired during the 2019-20 season but didn’t play for the Hawks that season still recovering from an injury. But after being named the starter for the 2020-21 season, he and the Hawks took off soaring that season all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Capela finished sixth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting that season in maybe his finest season of his career that spans Atlanta and Houston.
In five seasons with Atlanta, he averaged 11.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, but clearly slowed down towards the end of his tenure here — especially struggling with his finishing around the rim. Now, he heads back to Houston where he started his career in a lucrative pact for a reserve big.
Then, Charania also broke news of a 2024-25 Hawks, albeit one with a shorter tenure:
Free agent center Clint Capela has agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Major frontcourt addition – and return to Houston for Capela. pic.twitter.com/1l20sBt9p2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Caris LeVert came over from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the return for De’Andre Hunter at last season’s trade deadline. In 26 games down the stretch for Atlanta, he averaged 14.9 points and 2.9 assists per game in a sixth man role for the Hawks.
Thanks for everything, Clint and Caris!