One year after giving Onyeka Okongwu a contract extension, the Atlanta Hawks are ready to make him a starter and have started exploring trade options for Clint Capela.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Hawks "would like to find a new home" for Capela prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline to get something for him since he's in the final season of his contract.

It's a little strange the Hawks would look to subtract from their roster because they've been a pleasant surprise so far this season. They just advanced to the semifinals of the NBA Cup, winning a group that included the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

No one is going to confuse the Hawks for a title contender with a 14-13 record overall, but they could certainly be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference that currently only has seven teams over the .500 mark.

Taking a long-term view of things, the Hawks are better off seeing if they can add future draft capital or possibly even a young player in exchange for Capela. He's 30 years old and has seen his role on the team decline as Okongwu has become an integral part of head coach Quin Snyder's rotation.

ESPN's Bobby Marks noted the Hawks are $1.3 million under the luxury tax and has four trade exceptions ranging from $3.7 million to $25.3 million that could be used. Their most glaring needs are for a perimeter defender and backup point guard to ease the burden on Trae Young.

The Hawks left no doubt about their belief in Okongwu when they signed him to a four-year, $62 million extension in October 2023. He is still coming off the bench as the backup center, but they are both averaging 25.0 minutes per game since the start of last season.

Okongwu is scoring more than Capela this season (11.3 points per game to 10.0). Capela has the advantage in rebounding (9.4 to 6.6) and blocks (1.0 to 0.6). He's still an effective player who provides quality defense in the paint for a contending team looking for help at center.