NBA Trade Rumors: Houston Rockets Shopping Clint Capela for Draft Picks

Houston Rockets are making a push before the transfer deadline shuts. Clint Capela is being shopped around the league. In return, the Rockets are hoping to acquire draft assets. The assets would be used to flip for a frontcourt wing player, as per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Clint Capela has been one of the Rockets key production players. The Swiss big man is averaging 13.9 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks a game. He’s currently shooting 63% from the field. He’s currently the main defensive player of the Rockets, with a team-leading 2.4 Defensive Box Plus-Minus score.

Capela is one of the Houston Rockets main players. He’s their primary rim protector and one of the key players for the team. However, they require more wing defensive specialists. The team have used PJ Tucker as the starting centre when Capela is injured. The team is 3-0 when Tucker plays in Capela’s absence.

The question is, are the Rockets right in giving up Capela?

Houston Rockets Making a Title-Contending Move

The Rockets are an offence-oriented team. All-star guard’s Russell Westbrook and James Harden have propelled them to the second-best offence in the league. The team are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements and draft assets.

According to the rumours, the Rockets are in talks with several Eastern Conference Teams. Most notable amongst the teams are the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks are actively looking for centres. They have been linked with Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons. However, Clint Capela is a more financially friendly option for interested teams.

Capela signed a 5 year, $90 million contract in the summer of 2018. Capela will earn $72 million until the 2022-23 season. Drummond, on the other hand, has a $28.5 million player option for the upcoming season before hitting free agency. That is deterring some teams from trading for him.

The rebuilding Hawks have draft picks and exciting young frontcourt players to trade for. The likes of John Collins could represent a like for like swap, along with some draft picks. The third-year guard is averaging 19.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game. However, it remains up to the Hawks if they want to give up a talented youngster for a proven NBA player.

By Acquiring a good player and draft assets, the short-handed rockets can trade for a frontcourt defensive specialist. The likes of Minnesota’s Robert Covington could add defensive grit with similar offensive production of Capela. Covington is being linked with moves away from the Timberwolves.

Covington has a high trade price, as the Timberwolves are asking for two first-round picks.

The future of the Rockets

The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching. It’s up General Manager Daryl Morey to make the moves before the deadline. Tilman Fertitta, Rockets owner has to be ready to possibly shell out more money, if the team move into the luxury tax.

With the Rockets in a win-now mode, the trade has to net the desired results, or it can be a set back for the Rockets ambitions in the near future.