The Houston Rockets made a flurry of moves this offseason to get closer to title contention, though they may continue tweaking their roster as the 2025-26 season progresses.
The club has a loaded frontcourt following its offseason acquisitions. Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith make up the forward spots, while Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams and Clint Capela are the Rockets’ options at center.
Head coach Ime Udoka heavily experimented with a double-big lineup featuring Sengun and Adams last season, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Rockets continue to utilize it. However, this leaves Capela as the likely odd-man-out.
MORE: Rockets’ $50 million point guard named trade candidate by NBA writer
Clint Capela may be moved following offseason reunion
Capela agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal to return to Houston this summer, where he spent the first six seasons of his career. However, the veteran big man isn’t guaranteed consistent playing time in Houston’s rotation, and Jed Katz of SI.com believes he could become a trade candidate this season.
“Capela is a new addition, reuniting with the Rockets this offseason, but he joins a crowded frontcourt,” he wrote. “Durant, Sengun, Finney-Smith, Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams highlight the forward and center positions, which means the 31-year-old could find trouble cracking the rotation.”
Capela was a nightly double-double threat with the Atlanta Hawks for multiple years before being moved to the bench in January of last season. He saw a significant decline in playing time before ultimately missing an extended period to end the season due to a sprained left hand.
He returns to Houston following a down season in Atlanta. While he’s set to join a contending team, he’s not guaranteed to see more playing time with the Rockets than he did with the Hawks.
Capela still holds plenty of value at 31 years old, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Rockets traded him for more assets during the season.
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