The Houston Rockets have finally locked up their starting Forward after skepticism that the franchise would lose their big man. Clint Capela has agreed to a 5-year $90 million deal with the Rockets, $10 million short of the $100 million Capela reportedly asked for. The signing of the 24-year-old lockdown defender sets the Rockets up for another shot at NBA Finals glory, a goal that the team fell one win short of this past season.
The Rockets offseason started of shaky after letting go of Trevor Ariza and flirting with losing Clint Capela until now. According to ESPN, Chris Paul singed a 4-year $160 million max deal with the Rockets that left some questioning if the injury prone point guard was worth that kind of money at this point in his career. CP3 will be 37 years old by the time his contract is up.
The Rockets also recently added Carmelo Anthony to the team after a less than stellar season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 2003 third overall draft pick is intending to sign a veteran’s minimum 1-year $2.5 million contract with the Rockets after being waived by the Atlanta Hawks after a trade that sent Dennis Schroeder to OKC. Melo is coming off a season where he averaged a career low 16 points a game.
“Obviously we love the game of basketball, but to be able to provide for your family for generations, that’s what we do it for,” Harden told reporters in Las Vegas according to ESPN. “I’ve seen him work his butt off these last few years. He listens, learns, competes. I’m happy for him.”
Last season, the Rockets had a 3-2 series lead on the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals when Chris Paul went down with a hamstring injury late in game 5. The Rockets are looking to return to the Western Conference Finals next season although things have gotten more competitive with LeBron James signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.
