Atlanta traded for Clint Capela at the deadline thinking about the long haul — he is the pick-and-roll big man they want to pair with Trae Young for seasons to come.
Just not much of this season. Capela missed the four games before the All-Star break with a heel bruise and plantar fasciitis, and the All-Star break was not near enough time to get that right. He’s going to be out into March, it appears.
An @emoryhealthcare injury update (Part 1):
Clint Capela has begun participating in modified shooting while continuing non-impact conditioning and strength work as part of his rehabilitation. pic.twitter.com/fRlTmA6VIe
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 19, 2020
Lloyd Pierce says it will be ‘weeks’ before Clint Capela will play.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) February 19, 2020
Atlanta would love to start the process of Capela and Young getting used to each other on the court this season, but they are not in a playoff fight, so there is no reason to rush the recovery.
Capela averaged 13.8 points and 13.9 rebounds a game this season in Houston. He sets a good pick, rolls hard to the rim, has good hands if he gets a lob, plus he’s a quality shot-blocker in the paint on the other end. He should pair well with Young.
Eventually, once he gets healthy.