The Houston Rockets made a savvy move last offseason, signing Clint Capela to a three-year deal - and now, that decision is looking like a lifeline. With Steven Adams officially ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury that will require surgery, Capela steps into a crucial role for a team that’s built its identity around size, physicality, and dominance on the glass.
Adams, 32, went down on January 18, and while the initial hope may have been for a shorter recovery, the news ten days later confirmed the worst. It’s a tough blow for a player who brought real impact in limited minutes.
Last season, Adams averaged just 13.7 minutes per game but led the league in rebound rate - pulling down 10.2 offensive rebounds and 20 total boards per 100 possessions. That’s elite-level production, and it became even more valuable in the postseason.
The Rockets leaned into their double-big lineups, pairing Adams with Alperen Sengun to overwhelm teams on the glass and slow down opposing offenses. That combo was especially effective against the Warriors in a hard-fought seven-game series.
But the Rockets always knew Adams came with injury concerns. After being acquired during the 2023-24 season, he didn’t play a single minute that year, sidelined from January 2023 through late October 2024.
Houston brought him along slowly, holding him out of back-to-backs early this season. Even with that caution, the injury bug struck again.
Enter Capela.
At the time of his signing, bringing Capela back to Houston - where he spent the first six seasons of his career - seemed like a luxury. The team already had Sengun, Adams, and 6-foot-11 Jabari Smith Jr. in the frontcourt. But now, with Adams out, that $21.5 million investment over three years is paying off in a big way.
Capela has quietly been one of the most efficient rebounders in the league this season, actually outpacing Adams on a per-minute basis. He’s averaging 19.7 rebounds per 100 possessions, including 10.3 offensive boards - nearly identical to Adams’ numbers - while offering more scoring and rim protection. At 31, Capela might not have Adams’ sheer size or bone-rattling screens, but he brings a different kind of defensive presence with his shot-blocking and mobility.
The Rockets’ frontcourt rotation still has size, but there’s no denying the loss of Adams changes the calculus. And it could have ripple effects as the February 5 trade deadline approaches.
Houston entered the season already dealing with a major injury in the backcourt - Fred VanVleet tore his ACL before the first tip. That opened the door for speculation that the Rockets might look to add guard depth via trade. One name that’s come up is Dorian Finney-Smith, a versatile forward who missed the first 27 games of the season following ankle surgery and has been eased back into the rotation.
But the Rockets are walking a tightrope when it comes to their forward depth. Tari Eason has been a standout when healthy, bringing defensive energy, 1.3 steals per game, and an eye-popping 46.8% from three.
The issue? He’s missed 20 games this season and hasn’t been able to stay consistently available since playing all 82 in his rookie year.
Kevin Durant has been the steady hand, both in production - 26.4 points and 4.5 assists per game - and in availability, missing just two games so far. But at 37, and coming off a season where he missed 20 games, durability remains a concern. Jabari Smith Jr. has been healthy this year, but he missed 25 games last season.
So while the Rockets may want to bolster their backcourt, Adams’ injury could shift their priorities. This is a team that wants to play big, control the paint, and wear teams down physically. With their most physical player now sidelined, they may be less inclined to trade size for guard help - especially if it means thinning out their already injury-affected frontcourt.
Capela gives them a strong insurance policy, and he’ll now be asked to do more than just spell Sengun. He’s back in a city that knows his game well, and he’s stepping into a role that suddenly feels essential to Houston’s playoff push.