Houston Rockets: 5 reasons to be excited for 2018-19 NBA season
5. The Big 3 is back
Despite failing to re-sign several role players over the summer, the Rockets managed to retain the services of two key pieces who played a large part in helping the franchise emerge as one of the top challengers to the Golden State Warriors.
Just minutes after Paul George spurned several suitors to officially re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder to kick off free agency, Houston reached terms with point guard Chris Paul to return on a four-year, $160 million max contract on July 1.
It also locked up one of the game’s best young big men a few weeks later, as the Rockets came to an agreement with center Clint Capela on a five-year, $90 million deal on July 27, keeping one of the league’s most potent trios together.
Just a reminder that the Rockets were 53-7 when Chris Paul, James Harden, and Clint Capela played.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) July 27, 2018
Although the Rockets fell short in their quest to add the services of George and LeBron James this offseason, the re-signings of Paul and Capela aren’t a bad consolation prize. The pick-and-roll lob threat — combined with the secondary playmaker next to James Harden — could be just what the doctor ordered for the Rockets to finally get over the hump once and for all.