In recent games, the Houston Rockets have been playing small lineups. By small, I mean unlike anything we have seen. Capela has missed games because of a heel injury and Houston has turned to playing the likes of P.J. Tucker and Danuel House at center. So far, the lack of size hasn’t really been an issue. This may have been what motivated the Rockets to start getting a feel for their traditional center’s trade value.
Will Clint Capela get traded before the deadline?
Capela doesn’t do much by way of creating his own offense, but he’s a solid defensive player and is averaging a career-high 13.8 rebounds per game. Playing alongside Russell Westbrook and James Harden, this makes him a really nice fit. The Rockets don’t need anymore high usage players in their starting lineup. Even though Houston has had some success without Capela in recent games, I think they are going to need his size in the long term. On Sunday, the Rockets were out rebounded 47-32 against the New Orleans Pelicans and that kind of margin is going to bite them eventually. The Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics have both been mentioned as trade suitors and it’s hard to see a deal for the Rockets that makes a ton of sense. Capela is only 25 and makes just under $15 million this season. He’s on a relatively team friendly contract.
Prediction: He won’t be traded.