Clint Capela and Robert Covington were both traded after a four team deal was agreed upon Tuesday night. The Houston Rockets will receive Covington, Jordan Bell, and the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ second-round pick and will trade Capela and Nene to the Atlanta Hawks. Minnesota will receive Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez, and Jarred Vanderbilt from the Denver Nuggets, and Evan Turner and the Brooklyn Nets‘ first-round pick from the Hawks. Denver will receive Gerald Green and a first-round pick from Houston, and Keita Bates-Diop, Shabazz Napier, and Noah Vonleh from Minnesota.
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
Clint Capela, Robert Covington Traded in Four Team Deal
Houston Rockets and Robert Covington Outlook
The Rockets got the wing defender they were looking for. In addition, Covington’s three-point shooting fits head coach Mike D’Antoni’s offensive style. Covington has struggled so far this season, however, making under 35 percent of his three-point attempts. A change of scenery was necessary.
Size is going to be an issue for the Rockets for the rest of the season, however. They did acquire Bell, a capable small-ball center, but he too has struggled for the Timberwolves. Capela averages nearly 14 rebounds a game, which will be tough to replace. The Rockets may not be finished in the trade market.
Atlanta Hawks and Clint Capela Outlook
The Hawks finally acquired the big man they had been searching for. John Collins has been an offensive and rebounding force, but their trio of intermediate centers was not enough. Capela is a major upgrade over Bruno Fernando, Alex Len, and Damian Jones.
Trae Young is already an All-Star starter and Collins is a budding star. In addition to the talented young wings Atlanta has in Kevin Huerter and De’Andre Hunter, the team is ready to be competitive. They’re likely already out of the playoff race, sitting at 9.5 games behind the eighth seed, but this is a major move for next season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Outlook
Covington was always going to be traded. The Timberwolves have been nothing short of a mess, and he had been rumored to be on the move for months now. The question was always what Minnesota would get in return.
Picking up Beasley was a solid addition. He’s a strong defender and has been shooting better from three than Covington this season. Vanderbilt and Hernangomez were “throw-ins,” as they have failed to make a major impact this season averaging a combined four points per game. Turner, although a veteran, has also been struggling for time. He made the salaries match, however. On the other hand, Brooklyn’s pick may very well end up in the top 20.
Denver Nuggets Outlook
Losing Beasley wasn’t ideal, but he was primed for a summer free agency exit. Napier, however, should prove to be a shrewd pick up. The point guard is averaging over nine points and five assists this season, and has improved after the Timberwolves traded Jeff Teague. Bates-Diop and Vonleh were other solid depth pick ups. Houston’s first round pick will likely be towards the end of the first round, but it is still a decent pick nonetheless.
The Nuggets will remain a contender, and some would even say they managed to improve their bench.
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