Reports: Fans in celebration as New York Knicks reunites and brings back former top star in a blockbuster move

The New York Knicks are in dire need of additional big man depth after losing free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer. Additionally, NBA reporter Ian Begley states that center Clint Capela of the Atlanta Hawks was “checked in” by the Knicks. But Begley has made it plain that “how far talks went” is something he doesn’t know. Clark Capela Among the majors that the Knicks monitored was Atlanta. No idea how far the discussions progressed. Right now, I have no idea if they’re active or not. However, Capela was indeed checked on.

Capela, who will be a free agency next summer, was reportedly willing to leave the Hawks in May. The Hawks reportedly explored trading every player on the roster except Jalen Johnson in June, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo. It appears like Atlanta will get Capela in a trade, even if it hasn’t happened yet. Capela has started every game at center for the Hawks over the past four years. During that span, he has registered 11.9 rebounds and 12.3 points a game on average. This encompasses his 2020–21 season, in which he led the league in rebounding average with 14.3 per game.

The Knicks Are Considering Placing An Offer on Former Rebound Champion

Justification for Clint Capela’s Potential Trade to the Knicks. The Hawks will probably trade Capela, but it’s not because he isn’t talented. Even though he had a disappointing season, Capela still managed 11.5 points and 10.6 rebounds a game last year. Mitchell Robinson, who is now the starting center, may be joining Hartenstein in leaving. The Knicks allegedly “contacted opposing teams about moving” Robinson in June, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. It should be mentioned, though, that Hartenstien left in free agency before Fischer’s report broke. Now that the Knicks have reportedly reached out to competing clubs over the possible trade of Mitchell Robinson, Hartenstein is reportedly on his way back to New York.

It is worth noting that the Knicks previously contemplated dealing Robinson, albeit nothing has materialized as of yet. The Knicks would be well-served by trading for Capela this offseason.

Could Clint Capela Be Attracted to Other Teams?

There have been rumors circulating that Capela could be pursued by teams other than the Knicks. The Chicago Bulls, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Washington Wizards, and the New Orleans Pelicans all supposedly “expressed interest” in Capela back in June. The Wizards are unlikely to continue pursuing a trade for Capela now that they have signed center Jonas Valanciunas and selected big man Alex Sarr in the 2024 NBA Draft. Nonetheless, the Hawks big man is obviously a summer trade target. He may or may not wind up in New York; nobody knows for sure.