Rockets' free agency flop could be solved as early as next week

The Houston Rockets, so far this season, have had very little to complain about, given the fact that they are currently 15-6 and are sat relatively comfortably as a top-four seed in the Western Conference.

Yet, one of their major signings this offseason, veteran center Clint Capela, has been undoubtedly disappointing, and, as the team attempts to hone its rotation over the course of the season, December 15th will represent the first date on which a move can be made to rectify their mistake.

Capela is not an entirely ineffective player, but his waning offensive game and his limited role on the team begs a set questions. Would they not be better off with additional help for their backcourt? Was it ever the right move to grant Capela a multi-year contract when the team already had two centers lined up?

Barring any stubbornness from the front office, these questions will hopefully receive answers in the coming weeks.

Clint Capela could be moved as early as next week, but will he?

Last season, a major factor in Houston's identity crystallized around Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams: the infamous double-big lineup.

Therefore, heading into this season, the Capela sign-and-trade made sense at least in the context of the injury concerns surrounding Adams. When Adams needed to miss time, the team could employ Capela in his place alongside Sengun.

Yet, as the season has gone on, Capela's role has remained relatively limited despite Adams already having missed multiple games due to rest/injury. Through his first 20 games, Capela is averaging just 3.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists on a stinted diet of 11.9 minutes per appearance.

While he is still a solid rebounder and an active rim-protector, his On/Off numbers do not reflect kindly upon his impact on a night-to-night basis. With Capela off the court, Houston has a 13.9 net rating. With him on the court, they drop to -0.8: a difference of 14.8 points per 100 possessions.

This is made even more painful by the fact that a number of capable guards (including Tre Jones, D'Angelo Russell and Ryan Rollins) signed at or below the price point that the Rockets acquired Capela at this past offseason.

In many ways, Capela's three-year, $21 million contract is a double-edged sword. On one hand, he is making vastly more than someone of his role and impact should be making, and the fact that the Rockets even made the sign-and-trade in the first place has capped them at the first apron.

On the other hand, the fact that his contract is mid-level as opposed to a minimum enables Houston to perhaps utilize the salary in a trade for a higher-impact player than they would otherwise. For a team in need of a backup, defensive-minded center, Capela could be the perfect fit.

For the Rockets, it might be time to start exploring the market.