After losing a couple of important pieces in free agency this offseason, the Houston Rockets also seemed to be on shaky ground with restricted free agent center Clint Capela.
Losing Capela would’ve been a devastating blow, however, USAToday’s Kelly Iko reports that the Rockets have agreed to an extension with the Swiss big man.
Clint Capela and the Houston Rockets have reached an agreement.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) July 27, 2018
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the extension will be a five-year, $90 million contract for the Rockets’ man in the middle.
Houston has reached an agreement with Clint Capela on a 5-year, $90m extension, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 27, 2018
After losing both Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute to free agency already this summer, missing out on retaining Clint Capela would’ve topped off a disastrous offseason.
Though Ariza and Mbah a Moute are certainly useful pieces, they pale in comparison to the impact Capela had on the Rockets’ historic season in 2017-18. Capela anchored a vastly improved Houston defense and was the perfect rim-running center to pair with their trifecta of offensive-minded guards in James Harden, Chris Paul and Eric Gordon.
It was up in the air as to whether Capela would receive a max-contract from the Rockets or perhaps another suitor but he will end up raking in $18 million annually. Though big men have been paid noticeably less this offseason, signing a young, well-rounded talent such as Capela at that price could prove to be a bargain down the road for Daryl Morey and company.
