The Houston Rockets could be preparing to make a major trade before Thursday’s deadline.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets have spoken to several Eastern Conference teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, about a potential trade involving center Clint Capela. A multi-team trade is regarded as a possibility. The Rockets want to move Capela in order to acquire more assets to acquire a wing player.
As trade deadline looms on Thursday, Houston is engaged with several Eastern Conference teams — including Atlanta — on C Clint Capela, league sources tell ESPN. There are a few multi-team trade scenarios in play.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2020
Capela could be a way for the Rockets to get the draft asset(s) the team needs to flip for a wing player, per sources. Rockets talks around the league suggest they'd like to acquire a wing and a center before deadline. https://t.co/DhyeBOl2eV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2020
The Rockets are 31-18, but only fifth in the Western Conference, and are apparently want to change the formula a bit. They’ve shown in the past that Capela is expendable, as they were willing to move him to get assets to make a sign-and-trade deal in the offseason. That didn’t happen, but it’s pretty clear that they’re willing to use him for the same purpose now.
The 25-year-old center has started 39 games for the Rockets this season, posting 13.9 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. He signed a 5-year, $90 million contract extension prior to last season, keeping him under contract through 2022-23.
