Getty Gallery: 2/6
No. 5 C Clint Capela, Houston Rockets
Some fans might be surprised to see Capela's name here over other players like DeAndre Jordan. Houston gave the NBA a blueprint of how a team can thrive with a player like Capela playing center. In the old NBA, Capela would be cast away as too thin, but in today's league he's the perfect size for what teams want to do. Capela runs the floor, and offers the Rockets versatility on offense. He's skilled enough to score in the post, and is a rim protector on defense. The only two knocks on his game are his free throw shooting and lack of a three-point shot.
Capela has gotten better every season, and has come a long way from his rookie year when he played in just 12 games. Last season, Capela set career marks in nearly every major statistical category averaging 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Capela is just 24 years old, and is just now entering his prime.
The good news for the Rockets is Capela is a restricted free agent, meaning Houston can match any offer. The bad news is Capela is going to receive a healthy raise from his $2.3 million salary in 2017-18, and will likely not be able to be retained if the Rockets make a serious run at another free agent like LeBron James or Paul George. Capela is going to get plenty of offers from bad teams as there are only a handful of teams in the running for other top free agents. Rockets Wire reported the Suns will go hard after Capela, and are prepared to offer him a near-max contract. It is important to consider that this came out prior to the NBA lottery, and the Suns plans could change if they end up selecting Deandre Ayton in the draft.
"According to a league source, one such team is the Phoenix Suns," the Rockets Wire reported. "They have kept tabs on him throughout the season, and have reportedly become 'enamored' with him. They have plans to offer Capela a max or near-max contract once free agency begins. The source requested anonymity because he isn’t authorized to comment on the Suns’ plans."
Hoops Hype mentions the Mavericks and Lakers as two potential landing spots that make a lot of sense. Hoops Hype noted the Mavericks would not mind sticking it to their conference in-state rival.
"What’s more, the fact the Mavs would be negatively affecting an in-state conference rival certainly couldn’t hurt their motivation to make such a move," Hoops Hype explained. "Either they land Capela and make the Rockets scamper to find an adequate replacement, or they force Houston to match a huge offer sheet, thus harming the Rockets’ future cap flexibility, something general manager Daryl Morey values almost above all else."
If Capela ends up waiting for some of the top veteran free agents to get snatched up, it is reasonable to think that a bidding war could ensue to sign Capela, leaving the Rockets with a very difficult decision.
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