Clint Capela, who joined the Houston Rockets on a three-year, $21.5 million deal as part of a sign-and-trade on July 6, spoke to the Houston Chronicle, saying that the opportunity to compete for wins was a major factor in his decision.
“I feel like this team has something here again that can allow us to go forward and win,” he said. “This is what made the choice to come here. I wanted to feel that again, to be on the team where we have all the tools to make it happen.”
Capela highlighted the coaching style of new head coach Ime Udoka as a positive influence. “Ime is more, he shows us what he wants. He will not give it to you easy,” Capela said. “Every game we lose, the team’s gonna remember that, you know, it was a fight. I just feel Ime really has that fighting mentality.”
The 6-foot-10 center returns to Houston, where he previously spent five seasons before joining Atlanta in 2020. Over his career, Capela has averaged 12 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while maintaining a 61.7% field-goal percentage.
The Rockets’ roster features a blend of veteran talent and young prospects, including Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason, with Capela joining an experienced frontcourt alongside Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun.
The team also has two-way players JD Davison and Kevon Harris providing developmental depth.
