It looks like NBA fans might have their first big deal of this year’s NBA Trade Deadline. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets are in serious talks over a three-team deal.
Sources: Minnesota, Atlanta, Houston are in serious discussions on a deal that would send Robert Covington to Rockets and Clint Capela to the Hawks. Evan Turner and draft compensation involved in current talks to Timberwolves. Potential fourth team too.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2020
In this proposed deal, the Hawks would receive center Clint Capela, the Rockets would receive forward Robert Covington and the Timberwolves would acquire guard/forward Evan Turner and draft picks.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have the makings of a team on the rise. Atlanta has All-Star Trae Young at point guard and budding star John Collins at power forward. The Hawks also drafted De’Andre Hunter and Cameron Reddish in the first round of last year’s draft. The only thing that seems to be missing is a center.
Currently, Atlanta has Bruno Fernando, Damian Jones, and Alex Len at the center position. Fernando has missed the last four games whereas Jones is averaging just six points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Len is dealing with an injury of his own right now and has started just nine games for the Hawks, averaging 8.7 points and 5.8 rebounds.
With so much young talent in place, it makes sense for the Hawks to try and acquire a star center to help lead their team towards contention. Clint Capela would certainly fit the bill. This season, the current Rocket has averaged 13.9 points and 13.8 rebounds over 39 starts. His rebounds per game rank fourth in the NBA.
Capela signed an extension just last season and is under contract until 2022-23. His deal tops out at just over $18 million. The Hawks have seen enamored with acquiring a star center and could’ve found their man in Capela.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been waving Capela in trade talks as they look to get under the salary cap threshold. Moving their starting center would allow them to acquire Covington, a player they have seemed to covet leading up to the deadline.
This season, Covington is averaging 12.8 points and six rebounds a game. He is also averaging 2.3 threes per game with a .346 shooting percentage.
Covington is the classic three-and-D player that teams around the league have been looking to acquire for the past few seasons. Covington will lock down on other player’s forwards and look to score from the perimeter on the other side. Having to play against Lebron James in the Western Conference and potentially Giannis Antetokounmpo in the NBA Finals, having a guy like Covington would likely help on defense.
In acquiring Covington and trading Capela, the Rockets would have various different options in how they lineup going forward. Covington would likely move to small forward with the Rockets potentially moving Eric Gordon into the starting unit or looking for cheap center help elsewhere. Regardless, Covington is a player Houston has desperately wanted and will likely do all they can to acquire him.
Minnesota Timberwolves
For the Timberwolves, this move would be all about the future. Covington is under contract for the next two seasons as a modest $12 million. However, the Wolves are one of the worst teams in the NBA at the moment and are looking to capitalize on his success. If they could acquire two first-round picks for him, they would likely pull the trigger.
As a side note, Turner is a free agent after this season, meaning the Wolves would acquire his contract just to see the money come off the books at the end of the season.
In acquiring draft picks, Minnesota could go multiple different ways. They have widespread interest in acquiring Golden State Warriors’ guard D’Angelo Russell. However, at the time it seems unlikely a deal between the two teams would happen. Perhaps two extra first-round picks could sweeten the deal for Golden State.
Minnesota could go a multitude of directions if they move Covington. The team has a superstar in Karl Anthony-Towns but not much around him. They have two young shooting guards in Josh Okogie and Jarett Culver who could be packaged in deals or built around for the future. It seems likely that Covington is dealt with the future on the mind for Minnesota.
Denver Nuggets
Not much is known at this time, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Denver Nuggets may be involved as the fourth team in this trade.
Among the serious candidates to emerge as a new fourth team in this trade scenario, league sources tell ESPN: The Denver Nuggets. Talks with teams elsewhere are ongoing too. https://t.co/77s2keXl9a
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2020
Chris Crouse of NBATradeRumors has reported that the Timberwolves are interested in shooting guards Gary Harris and Malik Beasley.
The #Timberwolves have interest in Malik Beasley and Gary Harris. It wouldn't be surprising if one of the two are involved. https://t.co/PTpzqjqUSo
— 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜 𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎 🏙 (@ChrisWCrouse) February 5, 2020
The first three teams are locked in for what they would give/receive. As for the Nuggets or any third-team that remains a mystery.
Update:
The deal has been finalized according to Woj.
ESPN Sources: 4-team trade agreement: Houston: Robert Covington; Atlanta: Clint Capela and Nene; Minnesota: Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez, Evan Turner, ATL 1st round pick via Nets; Denver: Gerald Green, Houston FRP.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2020
More players are being announced.
Minnesota's Keita Bates-Diop is going to Denver in deal, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2020
Sources: Houston is also receiving Jordan Bell and a second-round draft pick. https://t.co/3YpbhniEYP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2020
More players in the deal: Denver's Jarred Vanderbilt is on his way to Minnesota, league sources tell ESPN. Jordan Bell to Houston.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2020
Noah Vonleh also headed to Denver, per sources. This is wild.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 5, 2020
