Houston Rockets: Capela relationship is being irreparably harmed

NBA free agency has been going on for over a week. The Houston Rockets and center Clint Capela haven’t been able to reach any middle ground so far. Irreparable harm looks like it’s being done, let’s examine.

On the heels of a phenomenal season that ended too early, the Houston Rockets were expected to make a big free agency splash. They started off the period by re-signing Chris Paul to a four-year max deal. That was followed up by the re-signing of Gerald Green.

But, then…radio silence. After the team whiffed on superstars LeBron James and Paul George, it made sense that Clint Capela would be next. However, reports have made it known that the Houston Rockets and Capela remain far apart.

Throughout the season and offseason, Capela had been linked to several teams. First, it was the Pheonix Suns. Then the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, there was absolutely no reason to worry about this interest as he is a restricted free agent.

Capela has become an integral part to what the Houston Rockets do offensively and defensively. There was no doubt that the Rockets would match any offer he received. But, no offer was received so, no offer was matched. That’s when the stalemate started, because of a difference in valuation. Kelly Iko of Rockets Wire had this to say,

"Rudy Gobert and Steven Adams, two centers who, like Capela, are represented by Wasserman, secured tidy extensions on annual salaries of around $24 million. Capela values himself somewhere in that range, more than the four-year, $80 million offer sheet the Sacramento Kings signed restricted free agent guard Zach LaVine to, which Chicago immediately matched. Both sources said Capela was offered something similar to the four-year, $53 million deal that restricted free agent center Jusuf Nurkic agreed signed to stay in Portland."

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This large gap might force Capela into accepting his qualifying offer. Doing this will allow Capela to become an unrestricted free agent next year. Teams would be more inclined to offer him a deal if they knew it wouldn’t be matched.

However, if the two sides cannot find common ground his value, this relationship will be irreparably harmed. After the things he’s done for this organization, accepting the qualifying offer could mean he’s gone after next year.

There is obviously still a chance that the two sides can come to terms this offseason. It would, in fact, be the best option for both sides. But, the tug-of-war over valuation is never a good thing. It’s easy for a player to take offense to the way his team responds to his free agency.

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There is also the possibility that the two sides will come to a common ground during the season or next season. So, hope is not lost for the Houston Rockets and Clint Capela. However, as this difference of option continues, more irreparable harm will be done and the harder it will be to lock down our beloved big man.

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