The Houston Rockets won two championships in the 1990s with the great Hakeem Olajuwon manning the middle. Thirty years later, the team still seems to realize the importance of the center position. Despite having two viable centers, including one who is an All-Star, Clint Capela will be joining the Rockets on a three-year deal.
Rockets Reunion Now Gives Houston Three Viable Centers
Clint Capela Joining The Rockets On A Three-Year Deal
Fans of the Houston Rockets are certainly still ecstatic about the team trading for Kevin Durant. For a team that finished second in the Western Conference standings in 2024-25, championship aspirations don’t seem far-fetched. Still, free agency presents an opportunity for Houston to strengthen their depth chart.
That is exactly what happened on Monday, the opening night of free agency. As first announced by Shams Charania of ESPN, Capela and the Rockets have agreed on a three-year deal worth $21.5 million. It turned out to be a sign-and-trade, with Houston giving the Atlanta Hawks a 2031 second round pick and cash.
Free agent center Clint Capela has agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Major frontcourt addition – and return to Houston for Capela. pic.twitter.com/1l20sBt9p2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
This will be a reunion for the 31-year-old Capela and the Rockets. The 6-foot-10 center played his first six NBA seasons as a member of the team. His last five have been with the Hawks.
A double-double machine throughout his career, Capela will be joining a crowded Rockets center room. Alperen Sengun was a first-time All-Star last season. The 23-year-old signed a five-year rookie scale extension worth $185 million which begins in 2025-26.
Houston also employs 31-year-old Steven Adams. Arguably the best offensive rebounder in the league, he agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal a couple weeks ago to remain with the Rockets.
With those two in tow, it seems like a questionable use of resources to bring back Capela. The Rockets don’t seem to have any noticeable roster holes though, so the 11-year veteran is more than a capable fill-in when players are unavailable. It will be interested to see if head coach Ime Udoka finds playing time for Capela when the roster is at full-strength.
In 2024-25, Capela received his least playing time since his second year in the league. The Hawks placed him in a reserve role in January, inserting Onyeka Okongwu into the starting lineup. Playing 21.4 minutes per contest, Capela posted averages of 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. He owns career averages of 12.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.4 rejections.
Rockets Also Add Finney-Smith From The Lakers
Capela was the second notable outside free agent pickup made by the Rockets on Monday. The team also brought in Dorian Finney-Smith, previously of the Los Angeles Lakers, on a four-year deal worth $53 million. He can help replace what Dillon Brooks brought to the team, as Brooks was included in the deal for Durant.
Houston has also brought back free agents Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green, all on one-year deals.
Photo credit: © Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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