As the NBA season gets underway, fans are reminding themselves of one thing: “It’s only one game”. Nobody should be overreacting to their team’s season opener. Yet, it’s inevitable. With that in mind, fans of the Houston Rockets may feel concerned.
The Orlando Magic decimated this group in the season opener. This is not the outcome that the Rockets were hoping for. They spent a considerable amount of money on free agency this summer. After several years near the bottom of the standings, the Rockets are looking to take a step forward.
How will they take it? What happened against Orlando? Well, in part, the Rockets got destroyed on the interior. The Magic had a substantial advantage in points in the paint.
Should the Rockets acquire a rim-protecting big man? How about Clint Capela of the Atlanta Hawks?
NBA Trade Proposal — Houston Rockets Land Clint Capela
Atlanta Hawks Receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, F Jae’Sean Tate, C Jock Landale, 2025 First-Round Pick (Swap – HOU or BKN)
Houston Rockets Receive: C Clint Capela, G Patty Mills
With that said, perhaps Rockets fans should have expected this. Sure, they were optimistic during the preseason. Who isn’t optimistic during the preseason? That’s the exact time of year to build unrealistic expectations.
Sure, the Rockets added a lot of veterans. Here’s the flip side: they added a lot of players. This team had a considerable roster overhaul this summer. This was also their first game with a new head coach. There were always going to be growing pains for this team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets Updates
On the other hand, the Rockets shouldn’t be surprised to have lost the battle in the paint, either. This team added a lot of perimeter defenders this offseason, but they still lack an interior presence.
Is Capela the right acquisition to fix that?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
There will be reservations about this deal on Houston’s end. To begin with, Capela cannot co-exist with Alperen Sengun. He was the Rockets’ best offensive player in the season opener.
Capela may be coming to back him up, but in time, the Rockets would have to choose between the pair. His outstanding interior defense may give him an edge in that positional battle.
On the other hand, if the Rockets lose the paint battle so severely on a nightly basis, they will lose a lot of games. This may be a necessary sacrifice.
As a team with play-in ambitions, the Rockets shouldn’t be protecting their young players anymore. If Sengun can survive a Capela acquisition, that will likely mean his interior defense has made strides.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets Updates
Otherwise, Capela is a perfect fit. He’s a strong interior defender, and on offense, his ability to function as a lob threat should open up the floor for the Rockets’ guards.
Should the Hawks give up such a valuable player?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
The Rockets would have to choose whether to prioritize Sengun or Capela if they made this deal. Meanwhile, the Hawks are already wondering whether they ought to prioritize Capela.
This team just extended Onyeka Okongwu. In time, the much younger big man is likely to take the starting position in Atlanta. If that’s true, the Hawks should trade Capela? What should they be looking for? Atlanta could move him for another quality starter.
On the other hand, some cap relief and draft capital would help their flexibility moving forward. This deal nets them both. Oladipo is on an expiring deal, and they’re landing a first-round pick.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets Updates
Finally, Tate is a solid acquisition as well. He’s the type of multi-positional defender who can complement Trae Young. The Hawks know that they need to cover for Young’s defensive limitations – they reached that conclusion long before opening night.
