Celtics looking to trade for Rockets big man Clint Capela?

The Boston Celtics are expected to lose both Kyrie Irving and Al Horford when free agency begins, but they are actively exploring ways to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference. One of those may involve a potential trade for Clint Capela.

Matt George of Sports 1140 KHTK in Sacramento reports that the Celtics have “significant interest” in involving themselves in the possible sign-and-trade deal that would send Jimmy Butler from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Houston Rockets. George speculates that Boston’s goal would be to land Capela.

I've been told by a source in Houston that the Boston Celtics have significant interest in being the third team in a Rockets/76ers sign & trade.

Speculation: Boston, who has now emerged as the front runner to land Kemba Walker, will try and move in and acquire Clint Capela.

— Matt George (@MattGeorgeKHTK) June 27, 2019

A report on Wednesday indicated the Rockets are looking to move key players in order to put together a package that would interest the Sixers, so that would be where the Celtics fit in. Boston is believed to be the frontrunner to sign Kemba Walker, and they still have a need for a big man with Horford expected to leave.

Capela, 25, averaged 16.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game with the Rockets this past season. There should be no shortage of interest in him if Houston is willing to deal him, so the Celtics would likely have to be aggressive with their offer.