Houston Rockets: 3 reasons to re-sign Clint Capela

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 28: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 28, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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1. Capela still has plenty of upside to improve as a player

The seven-footer from Switzerland is coming off the best season of his career and he is still just 24 years old. Capela finished second behind Indiana Pacer guard Victor Oladipo for the NBA’s Most Improved Player voting for 2018, so it is clear that the league is starting to take notice of Capela’s relevance as having the potential to be a dominant center.

A good case study to put in perspective how much Capela has progressed this season is by comparing him to fellow seven-footer and free agent, DeAndre Jordan. With the Los Angeles Clippers, Jordan led the league in field goal percentage for five straight seasons before Capela overtook him this season to win those honors.

Jordan was 24 years old when he led the league in shooting for the first time, the same age as Capela. It’s also worth noting that Jordan had the chance to play with Chris Paul in Los Angeles, but never averaged more than 12.7 points per game. Capela managed to average a career-best 13.9 points per game in just his first season alongside Paul, and at a younger age.

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If the Rockets manage to bring Chris Paul back to the team in addition to re-signing Capela, he could make another huge leap in production and be talked about as an All-Star next season. The Rockets should absolutely bring their young center back so he can continue to improve and hopefully take the team over the hump and back to the NBA Finals.

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