Rockets to Strike Trade With Hawks for $21 Million Longtime Starter: Report

A lot has changed in Houston since the last time Capela played for the franchise. When the Swiss center was last in H-Town, the Rockets fell short in the 2020 Western Conference Semifinals, losing in five games versus the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Houston was brought there by James Harden, who led the league with 34.3 points per game. Now, Capela is playing side-by-side with Kevin Durant instead.  

Capela's best season in Houston came in 2017-18, when he averaged 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, helping him earn 14th place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He had a similar season later in 2020-21 with Atlanta, putting up 15.2 points, a career-high 14.3 rebounds and two blocks per game. He earned sixth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Last season with the Hawks, Capela averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. That was just in 41 starts, though, due to having to share time with fellow Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu. 

Now back in Houston, Capela can expect to be given a bigger role where he won't have to compete as much for minutes. And Okongwu, Atlanta's former sixth overall pick from the 2020 NBA Draft, can grow alongside newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis.