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Houston Rockets: Clint Capela is more valuable than Lebron James

By T.A. Mock

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 3: Clint Capela
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 3: Clint Capela /
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Should the Houston Rockets pursue LeBron James?
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 25: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball in the first half defended by Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game Five of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 25, 2018, in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Restricted Free Agency

Capela has been all that the Houston Rockets hoped he would be and way more. His offensive game developed way beyond what was imagined. He has surpassed his impressive defensive expectations.

This year was his first to average a double-double. Now, I highly doubt it will be his last. We are just now, at the end of his fourth year, seeing peak Capela. He was built for this offense. He was built for this defense.

Clint Capela probably won’t end up in the hall of fame. But, for this Houston Rockets team, he is more valuable than the greatest player to step foot on the hardwood, LeBron James.

Capela will be a restricted free agent after this season. He likely won’t get a max contract, however, he won’t come cheap either.

Being that LeBron would somehow cost the Rockets $35 million, a team could attempt to frontload a Capela deal and make the Rockets give him up. To me, this is a risk that the team simply cannot take.

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Harden should be the MVP. Paul is one of the greatest point guards of our era. All the guys that hover around the three-point line are integral. However, this offense wouldn’t function as it does without Capela.

Capela over LeBron

So, yes, logic dictates you go after the greatest player to play the game. However, the Houston Rockets need to defy logic and not rock the boat. Absolutely, they need to bring back Chris Paul. Sure, let’s bring back Ariza or get a comparable guy.

But, Clint Capela needs to be the Houston Rockets biggest priority this offseason, not LeBron James. Sure, technically, the team could do both. However, the rest of the roster would suffer.

Acquiring LeBron James would completely change the way this team executes offensively. Losing Capela would completely change the way this team executes offensively.

Acquiring LeBron James would completely change the way this team executes defensively. Losing Capela would completely change the way this team executes defensively.

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That is why Clint Capela is and should be more valuable to the Houston Rockets than LeBron James. It completely defies logic. But, this team would not be what it is without Capela. He is just now reaching his prime. Why risk losing him?

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