Houston Rockets Head Toward NBA Trade Deadline In State Of Confusion - Forbes

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 29: Russell Westbrook #0 reacts alongside James Harden #13 of the Houston ... [+] Rockets in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers during their game at Moda Center on January 29, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

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This has been a bizarre season for the Houston Rockets with James Harden and Russell Westbrook essentially taking turns asserting their dominance, but never fully meshing together and playing well at the same time. At the time of writing, Houston is 29-18 and just sixth in the Western Conference. They’ve gone 4-6 in their last ten games of the season.

In his last ten games, Harden has averaged 26.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists on 33% shooting from the floor and 23% on 3’s. Meanwhile, in Westbrook’s last eleven games, he’s averaged 32.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists on 53% shooting from the floor and 24% on 3’s. One wonders where the Rockets would be in the standings if they could get their two MVPs on the same page.

Houston’s total team salary sits at $132,966,857 after the waiving of Gary Clark. This amount does not include up to $2.0 million in possible incentives included in center Clint Capela’s contract. The Rockets are also expected to make a run at a veteran later in the year to fill the roster spot left open by Clark. Such a deal would presumably be on a rest-of-season veteran minimum contract which would add more to Houston’s total team salary. For example, if Houston were to sign someone on March 1, the estimated addition to team salary would be $421,130 which is a prorated figure. They will need to make deals before the deadline if they hope to dip below the luxury tax this season.

After a 50 point explosion against the Utah Jazz, head coach Mike D’Antoni moved 6th man Eric Gordon back into the starting lineup. Gordon had been demoted to the bench after struggling through injuries earlier in the year. Forward Danuel House Jr. and guard Ben McLemore took turns filling the spot next to Harden and Westbrook. But now D’Antoni appears hopeful to return to his preferred lineup to close out the year. Or at least it appears that way at the moment, as the team heads towards the All-Star break.

Gordon can’t be traded this season due to the fact that he signed an extension in the summer. So that leaves Capela as the only real piece that the team has that it could use as an asset at the deadline. Whether they would make a move is a rather fascinating question.

Capela earns $14.9 million this season, aside from the aforementioned bonuses. And on the year, his performance has been impressive as he’s averaged 13.9 points and 13.8 rebounds per game to go with 1.8 blocks. But it is no secret that D’Antoni’s preference has always been to close games with floor spacing options at every position. This becomes even more critical with Westbrook on the team, given his inability to shoot from distance. Trading Capela would take away all of Houston’s rim protection. But if Daryl Morey could find a cheaper rim protecting option and a long wing that can spread the floor, it would not be surprising to see the Rockets deal Capela. Such a deal could help them meet both of their objectives of improving the roster while ducking below the luxury tax.