According to the latest report of the famous NBA reporter Rau Murray, if the Clippers finally renew James Harden's contract, they will reach a deal with the Hawks to bring in Capella, so that Harden and Capella can reunite in Los Angeles.
Hawks got the first prize signing, basically locked in the French rookie center Alex Sal, plus 23 year old inside player Oneca Okungu is cashing in his talent, leaving Capella less and less time. "The Hawks are looking for a buyer for Capella, which is one of the most important jobs for the management during the off-season period." Lao Murray said“ The Clippers are interested in bringing in Capella, but they need to complete Harden's contract extension in advance. ”
The Clippers have no choice but to renew their contract to keep Harden no matter what the cost. Leonard, Harden and Paul George are the core assets and most valuable assets of the Clippers. Steve Ballmer, the boss, can only provide Haden and Paul George with satisfactory renewal contracts. The Clippers have the second round draft right in 2024, which is also their only draft right in the next six years. The remaining draft right in the future will be held by the Wizards, the Lakers, the Thunder, the 76ers, the Rockets, the Hawks and the Spurs. The Clippers will not have their own draft right until 2030.
"To give up Harden is to give up the future, and the Clippers can only meet Harden's asking price." Lao Murray said, "The Clippers also need to strengthen the lineup around Harden, Leonard and George, and continue to raise the stakes to prepare for the championship next season." With Harden as the starting point of the strategy, getting Capella from the trade is a very suitable business. Capella and Harden have been teammates in the Rockets for six years, and they are familiar with each other's game style. The highlight of Capella's career is the seasons when he teamed up with Harden.
In the summer of 2020, Capella was traded to the Hawks. This season, he played 73 games for the Hawks and scored 11.5 points and 10.6 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per game. At the age of 30, Capella is in the golden age of his career. He will be a center more suitable for matching Harden than Zubac. The pick and roll cooperation at the offensive end can be seamlessly integrated into Harden's system, and the performance at the defensive end will also be better. The Clippers renewed their contracts with Harden and Paul George, and replaced the starting center with Capella. The competitiveness of the Clippers in the western region next season should not be underestimated.
Capella's contract still has one year of $22.3 million left. The Hawks decided to give up early renewal of his contract and would not let him leave as a free player. The Hawks seek to use Capella to exchange some chips for reconstruction. In addition to providing the second round draft right in 2024, the Clippers also need to send Powell or Terence Mann. The Clippers were originally full of expectations for Mann. In the past two seasons, the average score per game was only 8.8 points, and the average performance of 31.2 minutes in the playoffs was only 9.3 points. The salary of the last year of the contract next season was $11.43 million, which is enough to match Capella's contract.
"The Clippers will send out the second round draft right together with Mann. This is the trade plan that the Hawks are willing to accept, and this is the best offer the Clippers can offer at present." Lao Murray said. Capella and Harden can better link Leonard and Paul George together to form a stronger team attack and defense system.
Capella reunites with Harden, plus Leonard and Paul George, the two top strikers, the Clippers' plan to build an upgraded version of the Rockets around Harden can be realized. However, before the Clippers can reach a deal with the Hawks, they must first settle Harden's new contract. Law Murray said that Clippers management will complete the contract extension with Harden as soon as possible after the free player market opens, but there are still differences between the two sides in terms of contract duration and salary.
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