The Houston Rockets could get a major boost if it finds a way to bring in more players to the fold. To do that, they need to dangle something of interest. It appears that the player is Clint Capela.
Despite the initial belief that the Rockets are not that keen on dealing the 25-year-old Swiss, Houston appears to be testing the waters. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Rockets are reportedly engaged in talks with several Eastern Conference teams. The Atlanta Hawks were the only team singled out in the report.
As trade deadline looms on Thursday, Houston is engaged with several Eastern Conference teams -- including Atlanta -- on C Clint Capela, league sources tell ESPN. There are a few multi-team trade scenarios in play. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2020
The Hawks are practically out of it this 2019-20 season with a cellar-dwelling 13-37 record. For those following NBA trade talks, the last player to be linked with the Hawks was Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons. However, talks bogged down, but Atlanta was still expected to consider other options. Could Capela be one of them?
Capela is only in the second year of his five-year deal worth $80 million signed back in 2018. This season, the 6-foot-10 center has played in 38 games and averages of 13.9 points,13.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. With those numbers, Houston could get a big haul in a deal for the 25th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.
But as Shams Charania of The Athletic pointed out, interest in Capela is expected to be huge. The Hawks make a bit of sense, considering Atlanta wants a big man to compliment Trae Young. But what about playoff-bound teams?
But the bigger question is why the Rockets would let go of someone of Capela's caliber? Houston currently sits at the fifth spot of the Western Conference with a 31-18 mark. Giving up the Swiss big man makes no sense unless head coach Mike D'Antoni wants to switch it up.
Moving Capela could be part of a move by the Rockets to clear salary space. He is owed $55 million for the next three seasons, and Houston is already on the luxury tax threshold of $139 million. They are facing $145 million in salaries for next season according to Spotrac.
Do take note that the Rockets are merely exploring. They want to know what other teams would give up in exchange for Capela. However, this could also be damaging to the harmony within Houston. Trade talks could have adverse effects on the rising big man, something that could hurt their NBA playoff aspirations.
Also, the fact that Eastern teams were stressed could indicate Houston wants to deal with teams outside their conference. But then again, if the exchange is appealing, there is no reason to discount that a Western Conference team could enter the picture.
