The past four seasons have been painful for the Houston Rockets. They had not made the Playoffs since their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the bubble, the defeat that proved to be the last straw for James Harden. Since Harden left, the team has been in a state of rebuild, even finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference two years in a row (2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons).
However, the Rockets rewarded their fanbase in the 2024-25 season with an unexpected second seed finish. Boasting one of the youngest squads in the league, the Rockets moved swiftly through the regular season. And while they might have fallen in the postseason to the waning dynasty of the Golden State Warriors, one thing was clear. Houston were right there.
Entering this postseason, Rockets GM Rafael Stone knew his team could be a couple moves away from being a championship contender. And with the free agency barely having started, Stone’s squad already looks set to compete.
Clint Capela Set for a Return With the Rockets
After securing their existing talent by signing Steven Adams and Jabari Smith Jr. to extensions, the Rockets are now firing on all cylinders in free agency. Just hours after the free agency began, Houston agreed to a deal with Dorian Finney-Smith. And if the Rockets didn’t have enough length already, they have decided to add Clint Capela back to the mix.
Free agent center Clint Capela has agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Major frontcourt addition – and return to Houston for Capela. pic.twitter.com/1l20sBt9p2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Capela was originally drafted by the Rockets in 2014 with the 25th pick and played a huge role in their Playoff runs during the Harden era in Houston. The center spent six seasons with the team, averaging 12.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 334 games before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2020. While he is back, his role might shrink considering Houston’s options ahead of him.
The move adds significant depth and size to the Rockets, who also have Steven Adams and All-Star Alperen Şengün to play the center. It also opens up options for Ime Udoka come playoff time, when teams can exploit matchups using the versatility of their lineups. And size can be a huge factor, considering teams such as the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers’ desire to play small ball.
When the Rockets traded for Durant, they openly announced that the championship window in Houston was now open. The team’s moves have been aligned with exactly that, as the Rockets were quick to acquire the pieces for their championship roster.
For the Rockets, Capela’s return will also bring valuable playoff experience from a veteran who was adored by the city. While the Rockets were supremely talented last season, they fell to an experienced Warriors team in the first round despite being the second seed.
Although the Rockets’ youth was exciting to watch, the defeat made certain that a combination of youth and experience must be the way to a championship. And that is exactly what the outline of the Rockets’ free agency has looked like.
