The Golden State Warriors have been making several adjustments to refine their roster this offseason, and with additional trade assets at their disposal, they might not be finished yet.
Although they’ve sought a superstar, they haven’t succeeded so far. They also need more size, as their frontcourt is relatively small. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report has suggested a potential trade to address this issue, involving Clint Capela from the Atlanta Hawks.
Proposed Trade:
Warriors receive: Clint Capela
Hawks receive: Moses Moody, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, and a 2026 second-round pick from Atlanta
Buckley notes that the Warriors struggled with size and depth at the center position last season, a concern that has largely persisted into this offseason, with only the addition of Quinten Post via the 52nd pick addressing the issue. Adding Capela would provide the Warriors with significant size (6’10”, 240 lbs), length, and athleticism. At 30, Capela is known for his double-double performances, rim protection, and effective close-range finishing. While this move might not be the high-profile star acquisition the Warriors have pursued, Capela’s teams have generally performed 3.4 points better per 100 possessions with him over his career.
Comparing Capela and Looney:
Acquiring Capela would involve giving up Moody, Payton II, and Looney, which might be a substantial cost for an aging player in the final year of his $45.9 million contract. Last season, Capela averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 25.8 minutes per game, with a field goal percentage of 63.1%. Looney, on the other hand, played just 16.1 minutes per game, the least since the 2019-2020 season, averaging 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Two seasons ago, Looney’s numbers were fairly close to Capela’s when he started 70 of 82 games and played 23.9 minutes per game, averaging 7.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Capela is 6’10”, while Looney is listed at 6’9″, showing only a slight height difference.
Trading Moody would also mean losing one of their promising young assets, which could be valuable in future star trades.
Alternative Options:
If the Warriors are looking to upgrade their center position, they might consider a different trade package for another player. For instance, Walker Kessler, who is younger than Capela, could be a better fit. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report on August 23, Kessler may not be a key part of the Utah Jazz’s long-term plans.
Pincus reported that the Jazz have previously discussed trading Kessler, including a stalled deal with the New York Knicks. Last season, Kessler averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game and was named to the All-Rookie team in his debut season. At just 23 years old, he could also be a valuable piece of the Warriors’ future.
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