Former Rockets Center Lined Up for Potential Reunion

The 11-year veteran can still be an impact player for a competitive team.

Apr 10, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) defends against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

As the Rockets enter their most important offseason in years, a potential reunion with Clint Capela is in play.

Clint Capela will be moving on from the Hawks in free agency.

Unlikely to be a starter at this point in his career, Capela is set to receive interest from contenders in need of priority backup bigs.

Capela averaged 8.9 points and 8.5 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game this year. pic.twitter.com/hx6FaGx7Gc

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 10, 2025

Capela spent the first six seasons of his career in Houston playing alongside James Harden, where he averaged 12.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in 334 regular season games. He played a key role as the team's rim runner and defensive anchor throughout multiple iterations of Houston playoff teams before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks near the 2020 trade deadline.

Since then, his production has taken a slight hit as he ages and deals with injuries, averaging the lowest points, rebounds and minutes per game since the 2015-2016 season. Nonetheless, Capela is still a solid contributor who could excel in a smaller role with the Rockets.

The Rockets' double-big lineup of Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun dominated the Warriors in the playoffs, so swapping Adams for Capela could make for an even better duo. If Adams were to leave in free agency, getting Caplea on a cheap prove-it deal is a solid replacement, and in some aspects, an upgrade.

While the 1 block per game he averaged the past season is low for his standards, Capela would still add solid rim protection to complement Sengun's lack in the area. He also adds a fold to the offense as an above-the-rim finisher, and a more traditional roll man for the guards to work with.

The Swiss giant may not be what he once was, but can certainly make a positive impact on a Rockets team trying to reach the next level.