In the coming weeks, Peachtree Hoops’ Hood Zach will go through a state of Atlanta Hawks‘series. The series will bring down the roster from both a basketball and asset creation perspective in an attempt to access where the franchise is located after being excluded from the 22-team Orlando bubble.
The Atlanta Hawks had a hole in the center for much of the 2019-20 season, following Dewayne Dedmon’s departure and John Collins’ suspension in early November. This left Alex Len, Damian Jones and Bruno Fernando as the big and major problems of the Hawks arose accordingly.
Basketball operations president Travis Schlenk is known to be swapped with two clubs before the February deadline. He brought Clint Capela to the Houston Rockets – in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick – and brought Dedmon and his former teammates together in a craft that brought Len and Jabari Parker to Sacramento. Capela hasn’t played for Atlanta yet, while Dedmon was mostly the same player since his previous stint with the club, although during the 2019-20 campaign he suffered from some crisis.
Between 2020 and 2121, head coach Lloyd Pierce will have a much deeper facade than he has had to work with in the past. A supposedly healthy trio of Capela, Dedmon and a great combo man from Collins should leave the central position in good hands. If Fernando can continue to develop, he could also carve out a coherent role.
Clint Capela, C, 26 years old, 3 years old, $ 51.31 million remaining
Capela played only 39 games for the Rockets in the 2019-2020 period, averaging 13.9 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. He also had an average of 1.8 blocks, just below his career. The Hawks officially listed the injury as plantar fasciitis and a right heel bruise after acquiring it from Houston.
Capela, choice no. 25 in the 2014 NBA Draft, he spent six seasons with the Rockets. He has evolved into one of the best “runners” in the league and is also a good defender inside, with some ability to switch to smaller players if necessary.
Capela signed a 5-year contract extension, $ 85 million in the summer of 2018.
John Collins, PF / C, 23 years old, 1 year, $ 4.14 million left – Free agent limited in 2021
Collins is entering a contract year in 2020-21, which is no secret now. Also, it’s no secret that he was playing on an All-Star level when the coronavirus break began. The third year was putting up crazy numbers with equally frightening efficiency. Collins ended the season with an average of 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game with 66% of TS and 40% of three.
If Collins is able to replicate that performance in 2020-21, the Hawks may have no choice but to match the highest offer he will receive in the limited free agency next summer, which could very well be a maximum contract. In the meantime, you are entitled to an extension of the contract this summer.
Dewayne Dedmon, C, 31 years old, 1 year, $ 13.33 million left – $ 13.33 million team options for 2022-23 with a $ 1 million buyout
Last summer the Hawks lost Dedmon for a 3-year, $ 40 million offer, but were able to recover it after things didn’t go for the big man with the kings. The final year of his deal is not guaranteed, combined with the Hawks’ likely lack of desire to exercise Parker as his player’s option, it was enough for Schlenk to pull the trigger and bring Dedmon back despite the big 2020 deal- 21.
Dedmon will be in line with being the primary backup center and paying it in excess for a year in case something happens to Capela is not the worst plan. It is also a highly appreciated presence in the changing rooms and Atlanta is in order of priority giving priority to the appeal with Dedmon.
Bruno Fernando, C, 22 years old, 2 years old, $ 3.30 million remaining – Free agent limited in 2022
Going into the season, the minutes are far from guaranteed for Fernando, which is a bit strange for him. He played a beginner role, but is now able to play potentially less in his second season. Capela and Dedmon’s additions likely leave him as the fourth center, as Collins will likely see another game in the center 10-12 minutes. It is worth nothing, however, that both Capela and Dedmon have fought wounds in the past, which could open the door for Fernando.
Great expirants: Skal Labissiere, Damian Jones, Vince Carter (retired)
Out of season prospects
It would seem unlikely that Atlanta will invest significant capital in another great man between now and the beginning of next season, via the project, the trade or the free agency. The club could bring Labissiere down to a minimum – or acquire another low-cost option as insurance – but Jones is likely to land elsewhere.
The biggest potential wrinkle could be a Collins trade, as it is entering the last year of its beginner’s contract and there have been questions about what exactly is going to take place, to say the least. Excluding a big change like that of Collins, if all goes well the facade of Atlanta should be in the best shape it has been in since the days of Al Horford and Paul Millsap.
Contract information from Early Bird Rights; The ages listed reflect the age of the players for the 2020-21 season.
