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Free agency: The Rockets plan to match any offer for Clint Capela

By Michael Knight

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 14: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets looks on before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2018 at the Toyota Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 14: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets looks on before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2018 at the Toyota Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In a not-so-shocking move, the Rockets are planning to keep their up and coming star big man at whatever price.

The Houston Rockets are trying to run back next season with a very similar team to the one that won 65 games last season. To do that, they are planning to match any offer sheet given to center Clint Capela.

While it was speculated throughout the offseason that this would be the case, Sam Amick of USA Today confirmed all of our beliefs in a tweet.

The Rockets are obviously all in on restricted free agent Clint Capela as their man in the middle, with plans to match any offer sheet that comes his way. Cousins as a sixth man with all those question marks wasn't appealing.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 4, 2018

Having some stability at the center position, along with the star guards James Harden and Chris Paul, puts the Rockets in contention for years to come. As he continues to improve as a player, Houston will become even better.

The market for Clint Capela

Unfortunately for Clint Capela, his free agency is in a bad year for players getting paid. He likely won’t command the max from teams, though he definitely deserves it. If this were the 2016 offseason, he would be getting a massive contract that would be tougher to swallow for the Rockets.

Capela is a young and talented center who will only get stronger and more dominant. Houston loves how he fits into the system and wants to keep him long-term, and for good reason. He averaged career-highs across the board at 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds as well as 1.8 blocks per game on 65.2% shooting. He finished second for the Most Improved Player award.

Not Interested in Boogie

Before he signed with the Warriors (yuck), Amick also confirmed that the Rockets were not interested in DeMarcus Cousins. Houston is all in on Clint and would have had Cousins be the sixth man, which he would not accept. Capela is a much better fit overall in the Rockets’ offensive (and defensive) system.

One (more) final thought on Cousins: You could argue that Houston should have picked him up just to keep him away from Golden State, but I'm told they had zero interest. Considered a bad fit. https://t.co/lQHCmlL3mj

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 4, 2018

Unfortunately, the lack of interest from teams led Cousins to Golden State. That’s just another All-Star weapon that the Rockets will have to counter in a potential matchup.

Next: Some stars the Rockets should look to acquire

Clint Capela will have to continue to improve if Houston wants to compete against them. I fully trust in his abilities and I know the Rockets do as well.

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