Hawks coach Quin Snyder made an eye-opening lineup switch on Monday, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype notes (Twitter link). Onyeka Okongwu started at center and Clint Capela came off the bench.
Capela had started 313 of 316 games since arriving in Atlanta in February 2020. He hadn’t come off the bench since Jan. 2023. Capela has averaged 9.3 points — his lowest output since the 2016/17 season with Houston — and 9.0 boards in 41 starts this season.
Okongwu averaged 18.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 blocks in his last three games off the bench. He supplied 14 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes in his first start this season as the Hawks fell to the Knicks 119-110. Capela played 20 minutes and contributed 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in his bench role.
This could be construed as a transition to a younger player. Okongwu, 24, is in the first year of a four-year extension he signed in Oct. 2023. Capela, 30, will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Hawks have reportedly been looking to move him, though his $22.2MM salary could be a stumbling block in trade negotiations.
Snyder was not asked about the lineup switch during his postgame press conference (Youtube link), so it’s uncertain whether the change is a short- or long-term move.