Would the Rockets have fared better in the playoffs with Clint Capela?

The Houston Rockets did not get the ending they were hoping for to the 2019-20 season, but would having Clint Capela in place of Robert Covington have produced better results?

When the Houston Rockets made the decision back in February to effectively trade Clint Capela for Robert Covington, their entire team identity revolved around their commitment to small-ball. This caused many in the national media sphere to dismiss them as contenders, while others viewed them as a legitimate threat in the West.

It’s pretty clear that they were not legitimate contenders this season, based on how they fared in the playoffs. The Rockets struggled to get past the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, as the Thunder extended the series to seven games.

After getting past OKC, the Rockets drew a matchup against the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, who were winless against the Rockets’ small ball approach during the regular season. But the Rockets put up a disappointing fight against the Lakers and were defeated within five games of the Western Conference Semifinals.

But is the Clint Capela trade the reason for this unfortunate outcome? To find the answer, let’s start with the chief concern that came with the trade: rebounding.

Next: Rebounding woes