Boston Celtics Rumors: Why Clint Capela is an intriguing option
If the Boston Celtics are moving on from Anthony Davis, a big man like Clint Capela is an intriguing option.
With the Houston Rockets putting most of their team on the trade block, a player like Clint Capela is someone who should intrigue the Boston Celtics.
If the rumors are true and Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has focused his attention of building around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, pursuing a young big man like Capela should be in the cards, especially with the Rockets reportedly making him available.
Here is what ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported about what the Rockets are searching for following their elimination from the second round of the playoffs at the hands of the Golden State Warriors:
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"“Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has made his entire roster and future draft picks available in trade talks, a dramatic initiative with hopes of reshaping the team into a championship contender, a league sources told ESPN. …The Rockets have been more aggressive in offering up Capela in recent days, sources said.”"
While the Rockets have several role players who may interest Ainge, Capela is the type of rim protector the team needs if Anthony Davis is no longer in the cards. He is young, athletic and would be locked up contractually through the 2022-23 season due to a five-year, $90 million contract extension signed last summer.
That would mean the Celtics would have to match that salary. With Kyrie Irving highly rumored to walk away, Boston would need Al Horford to opt out and a potential deal may have to include a sign-and-trade involving either Terry Rozier or Marcus Morris or including Gordon Hayward in a deal.
The Celtics also have draft picks that may intrigue the Rockets as well, including the Memphis Grizzlies pick that conveyed until next season and also the 14th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
In other words, if Ainge wants to add Clint Capela, he will find a way to make the money work, even if it includes making an unpopular move.
What Clint Capela adds
Averaging 16.6 points, 12.7 rebound and 1.5 blocks per game last season, Clint Capela is an athletic big that would compliment Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown nicely.
Not only would he improve the team defensively with his shot blocking skills and rebounding, he is a player who can score around the rim and also has the type of range Celtics head coach Brad Stevens likes from his big men.
If Al Horford opts out and returns on a more team-friendly deal, Capella would allow him to play more at the four, a position Horford is more effective and comfortable in.
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Adding Capela also gives the Boston Celtics that athletic big they have been longing for. Not quite Anthony Davis, but Clint Capela is not a bad option for a team that sounds content on building around its young players. The biggest plus is obtaining a player who can battle with a player like Joel Embiid and defend the rim against Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Summer of 2019 won’t sting as much if a deal like this happens. It wouldn’t be a bad Plan C at all.