Rockets Pursue Point Guard, Consider Trading Clint Capela
The Houston Rockets are currently facing a challenge at the point guard position. While they’ve occasionally managed to mask the issue, it is becoming increasingly clear that a deeper point guard deficit exists.
Point Guard Situation
The team’s playstyle typically revolves around Alperen Sengun in half-court settings, which has yielded satisfactory results. However, Amen Thompson has not consistently proven effective as the primary point guard against tougher competition.
Offensive Performance
Statistically, the Rockets boast the second-best offense in the league. Their offensive strategy works well on many nights, particularly against lesser opponents. Despite this achievement, the absence of a reliable point guard has become apparent during tough matchups, such as the opening day defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder and a recent loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Emerging Talents
- Reed Sheppard has shown noticeable improvement, averaging 10.6 points per game with a shooting percentage of 45.2% from beyond the arc.
- His progress as a facilitator is evident, highlighted by an impressive assist to Steven Adams in the Spurs game.
Possible Trade for a Point Guard
NBA insider Ashley Nicole Moss suggests that the Rockets should consider trading Clint Capela to acquire a more capable point guard. Capela’s current contract of $6.7 million may limit the transaction’s effectiveness, as he lacks significant trade value at this stage in his career.
Capela’s Role and Future
It’s important to clarify that Capela’s acquisition was not driven by “greed.” His double-big lineup helped optimize offensive possessions last season, which was crucial for the Rockets’ middle-tier offense. Additionally, with Capela in his 12th season at the age of 32, his ability to handle a full workload is questionable due to a history of lower-body injuries.
Next Steps
As the Rockets move forward, they must find a reliable point guard to enhance their overall performance, particularly against elite teams. Notably, any trade involving Capela cannot proceed until December 15th, in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
