Rockets’ Clint Capela considering playing on qualifying offer, hitting unrestricted free agency next summer

The Houston Rockets have long made it clear that they want big man Clint Capela back patrolling the paint and catching alley-oop passes from James Harden, even going as far as to say that they are willing to match any offer the athletic center will get from other teams.

Well, it looks like the Rockets will get their wish granted, though, Capela is not keen on signing a long-term deal this summer, according to Orazi Cauchi of Sportando.

Hearing that the meeting between Clint Capela and the Houston Rockets wasn’t very positive. Capela is seriously considering playing on qualifying offer and becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer when he’ll have a better market, according to a league source.

The Rockets can extend a qualifying offer for Capela worth $4.74 million, which is severely below his perceived value on the market. But as much as Capela would like to get a bigger deal, the current financial climate in the NBA is simply not the ideal one for him to venture out and look for a coveted lucrative multi-year deal. Several NBA teams are projected to go over the salary cap and touch or exceed the tax threshold level once all agreements with players are inked after the lifting of the July moratorium this Friday.

Taking on a one-year deal with the Rockets would allow Capela to be an unrestricted free agent in 2019 when teams have more money to spend.

The Rockets have deals in place for Chris Paul ($160 million for four years), Michael Carter-Williams ($1.8 million, one year), and Gerald Green ($2.4 million, one year) which are all going to count a lot against the team’s payroll. Re-signing Clint Capela, even to only that meager qualifying offer, would be a significant pinch to Houston’s pocket.

But with the Golden State Warriors loading up with DeMarcus Cousins, the Rockets can’t afford to lose Capela, who averaged 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game last season.

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