SUNDAY, 6:45pm: The Rockets have picked up the option, Feigen reports. The team has yet to make an announcement.
SEPTEMBER 28TH: The Rockets will exercise their team option to keep center Clint Capela on his rookie scale contract for the 2016/17 season, a source tells Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The formal decision on the option, worth $1,296,240, is due November 2nd, nearly a year before the option season begins.
It’s no shock to see Houston poised to make the move, since most rookie scale team options are picked up, even though Capela saw action in only 12 games and scored a total of 32 points in the regular season this past year, his first in the NBA after the Rockets made him the 25th overall pick in 2014. Capela took a step forward in the postseason, when he saw minutes in place of the injured Donatas Motiejunas. The rookie appeared in more playoff games (17) than regular season contests and averaged 3.4 points in 7.5 minutes per postseason game.
The option will put a slight squeeze on Houston’s cap flexibility for next summer, though the team will only have about $45.6MM in commitments once the option formally goes on the books. That doesn’t count a player option worth more than $23MM for Dwight Howard, Ty Lawson‘s non-guaranteed salary in excess of $13.2MM, or any money for Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas, whose contracts will expire at season’s end if they don’t reach extensions with Houston by that same November 2nd date. The salary cap is projected to hit $89MM next summer.
Do you think Capela will become a productive player for the Rockets? Leave a comment to let us know.
I think so
Most definitely
He needs some fine tuning, but he could certainly be a major contributor as early as next season. Especially if Montijunas leaves in free agency. Capela should be able to soak up minutes behind Dwight Howard.
Yes. Based on his development last season and assuming he continues to grow he will become very productive. Would love to see him ga8n a mid range shot.
Same production Ian Mahimi gave Dallas off the bench on their championship run a few years ago would be perfect.
I thank he will be much more productive this season than last season.
He is so raw and so just being in the playoff rotation was invaluable for him and I expect him to contribute greatly especially to keep D12’s minutes down
yes indeed.
He’s a future star!
He already has and will continue to do so. He’s been working hard all summer and put on some weight. He’s going to be a monster off the bench this season!
He showed a lot of promise last year. How he could help most is on defense & rebounding. It would be great if he could come in & defend against the high powered 4s in the West!
Surprise super star. He will continue to excell and throw it down.
All Clint needs is time to gain weight and muscle, more time at Akeem Univ to improve def/reb. Later same tutor to gain offensive skills, then more time on court.
One of d best moves Rockets made in yrs was d service of Akeem to tutor bigs. Some of d most skilled bigs in league, especially DM (on verge of stardom whn healthy). Clint and Harrell will also benefit. He’s in a perfect situation to grow fast!!!
It’s not Capela I’m worried about, the question is “why won’t the Rockets demand Dwight Howard improve his free throw shooting”.He seems to have no concern or desire to get better.
He’s definitely a solid backup. But, is he a good enough option for Houston to turn to after Dwight? Maybe he become a cheap replacement that can allow the team to spend more in other areas.
I had a chance to see him develop with the RGV Vipers and he came a long way. They had vets like Jack Sikma, and Hakeem Olajuwon helping develop his post game and he’s more skilled at his current than Dwight Howard. Skies the limit with Clint.