Clint Capela has played his way directly off the Rockets

As the trade deadline approaches, fans should expect the Houston Rockets to be active on the market. Although they have found great early-season success with their addition of Kevin Durant, recent losses to the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Clippers have made it clear that they need more in their rotation.

Yet the team is stuck in a precarious position that will prevent them from making another blockbuster trade. They are hard-capped at the first apron as a result of their sign-and-trade for veteran center Clint Capela, and they only have just over $1 million of cushion between them and that threshold.

Therefore, a minor move is the most likely outcome. As a result, Capela could quickly be playing his way off of the team with his sub-par performance.

Clint Capela remains the Rockets' most expendable piece heading into trade season

When Houston acquired Capela, the vision for his role quickly became clear. He was meant to provide serviceable defensive play when Steven Adams needed to miss time, allowing the team to employ the double-big lineup as often as they wished.

Yet Adams has been surprisingly healthy this season, playing in 22 of the Rockets' first 27 games. Capela, meanwhile, has not produced to the extent that the team envisioned.

He's posted excellent rebounding numbers relative to his minutes, but his slow-footedness and lack of offensive impact have limited his run on the court under Ime Udoka. Through 25 games, he's averaging 3.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists on a diet of 11 minutes per game.

Over the team's last six games, Capela received one DNP and has averaged just 7.6 minutes in his five appearances. Of course, his minutes will fluctuate over the course of the season depending on the matchup, and Udoka undeniably values versatility and optionality.

The Rockets have an additionally versatile big in Jabari Smith Jr. if they elect to use him. Moreover, they remain second-to-last in the NBA in assist percentage. Would the team not be better served by an additional ball-handler in the mix?

While Capela's three-year, $21.5 million contract might be a difficult sell for a team in need of a high-minutes backup big man, it is a number that would allow the Rockets to bring back a solid and experienced guard if they were able to find a suitor.

Capela, therefore, may quickly be playing his way out of Houston.