The Houston Rockets means serious business after bouncing off by the Golden State Warriors experience in 2024/25.
Despite a better regular season record, Stephen Curry and the Company’s experience proved too much for the Houston Rockets.
They quickly tackled it by adding former warrior and authentic superstar Kevin Durant to engineer an astounding seven-team deal.
Durant will definitely be the Houston headlining this season, but general manager Rafael Stone “e-e-e-tatto” to get another deal through the line.
In the seven-team trade where the Rockets handed out Jalen Green as headliners, they didn’t just win Kevin Durant in return.
They were also able to get Clint Capella from the Atlanta Hawks on a kind of homecoming for Swiss basketball stars.
Interestingly, when the Rockets traded Capella in 2020, it was also a creative deal involving four teams and 12 players.
The 2025 Capella is different from the players the Rockets traded in 2020. His game is a bit reduced after winning the sixth place position in the Defensive Player of the Year rankings in the Hawks’ first season.
However, according to Raphael Stone, he gives the rocket something they didn’t have before.
“We love that lineup (with Clint Capella). We discovered it last year and thought it was really effective. Also, Clint adds something that doesn’t exist when it comes to centers that can move a little on the boundary line, a threat to Rob.
“I think it’s very important. I didn’t expect to join a free agency if I could get Clint, but I’m excited that it’s happening.”
For every NBA team, it’s true that they plan to beat the team that recently won the title, but Rocket is uniquely placed to do so.
Like Thunder, they are a young team with many advantages and energetic players, but they missed out on that little calm and versatility.
Along with Durant, they add a sense of calm, and, as Stone said, Capella adds a versatile option to both ends of the floor.
Thunder’s success was built on Wing-Stoppers and players who played much bigger than their bodies, so Rockets added another 6’10-inch center to the rosters of Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, Amen Thompson and Dorian Finney-Smith.
It looks like Durant has done it again. The Rockets will be a problem next season.