New York’s desire to reinforce its power is endless.
Ian Begley, a reporter for the U.S. local media “SNY,” said on the 19th (Korea time) that the New York Knicks are interested in Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela.
According to reports, “Cappella is one of the players New York is watching. We don’t know if there was any specific discussion, but it is certain that New York is interested in Capella.”
New York is one of the biggest winners of this offseason. The team successfully renewed its contract with OG Anunobi, who was released as an FA, and acquired Mikal Bridges as a trade. In addition, ace Jaylon Brunson also agreed to an extension contract, allowing him to maintain his current capacity for the time being.
New York’s next season’s team has a spectacular lineup of players, including Brunson-Josh Hart-Mikal Bridges-Anunovi-Julius Randall and Dante DiVinchenzo and Mitchell Robinson on the bench.
It is clearly a power that can be evaluated as a favorite, and it is expected to be the biggest opponent of the “defending champion” Boston Celtics.
Of course, New York also has weaknesses. It is the backup center. As mentioned earlier, New York successfully renewed its contract with Anunobi, but failed to renew its contract with Isaiah Hartenstein. Hartenstein rejected New York’s offer and joined the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Hartenstein was Robinson’s backup center, but he played well without any difference from Robinson. In fact, Robinson did not play most of the time in the playoffs due to injury, but there was no significant difference in performance. Rather, Hartenstein performed better.
This Hartenstein left the team. Center resources are very important for Tom Thibodeu’s basketball. This is because the core of defense must be kept under the basket.
In that respect, Capella Rumor makes sense. Capella’s skills have declined a lot compared to her heyday. She had difficulty controlling under the basket due to her poor athletic ability, which was an advantage.
Capella averaged 11.5 points and 10.6 rebounds during the 2023-2024 season. His skills declined, but he still recorded an average double-double. For New York, Capella couldn’t be better if he was recruited. It is impossible to play to save his teammates through Hartenstein’s pass, but his control under the basket is better than Hartenstein’s. Also, since Brunson is there, Capella can be used in offense.
The problem is a master. Capella will receive a salary of $22 million during the 2024-2025 season 노래방알바. To recruit Capella, a New York player must earn a similar salary. There is only one player that New York can send Randall. The problem is that Atlanta, which declared its rebuilding, should not receive Randall. Atlanta drafted a forward named Zachari Lissacher with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and Jalen Johnson is also in full swing.
In the end, if the trade proceeds, it will be in the form of a triangular trade. If New York acquires Capella, it is likely to build two mountain ranges with Boston.