NBA: Capela signs new contract with the Rockets

Clint Capela has extended his contract with the Houston Rockets. That’s what the Rockets posted on their website. The center, which was Restricted Free Agent, will thus remain in Texas for another five years.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Confederate will earn 90 million dollars during this period. As RFA negotiations were very tough, even the acceptance of the qualifying offer for one year (4.3 million) was possible, Capela would have become an unrestricted free agent in 2019.

“I’ve seen him work his ass off in the last few years. He’s listening, he’s studying, and he wants to win. I’m happy for him,” team-mate James Harden told the media at the Mini Camp of Team USA in Las Vegas.

With the new contract, the Rockets now have a payroll of $136 million, with only Oklahoma City, Golden State and Toronto paying more for their players in the coming season. As a result, the Rockets are currently expecting a luxury tax bill of 21.4 million, with only 11 players having a guaranteed contract.

If the Rockets now want to fill up their roster with minimum players, Houston will also cost another 3.8 million in luxury tax on their salary. Otherwise the Rockets still have the full 4.5 million of the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception.

Capela meanwhile played the best season of his career and finished second in the Most Improved Player election behind Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers. The Swiss played 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in the Regular Season. His throwing rate of 65.2 percent was the best in the entire league.