Despite the Sacramento Kings’ push for relevancy and contention in the Western Conference, the team is not interested in surrendering a first-round pick to the Houston Rockets in order to acquire center Clint Capela (per NBCSports California’s James Ham).
Houston is trying to sign a third star to combine with All-Stars James Harden and Chris Paul. Philadelphia 76ers free agent wing Jimmy Butler has been rumored to be the third head; however, the Rockets would need to shed salary cap before signing another top player like Butler.
Five-year veteran Clint Capela signed an extension with the Rockets in July of 2018 worth five years and $90 million. Now it looks like Houston is trying to part with the 6-foot-10 center.
Guard Eric Gordon, forward P.J. Tucker, and Capela, too, have been rumored as players the Rockets have been dangling to other teams in order to free up said cap space and sign another star.
The Rockets fell to the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 2019 NBA playoffs, and the prior year lost to the dynasty Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. In spite of general manager Daryl Morey’s risky move signing and trading for point guard Chris Paul to join with Harden Clutch City’s backcourt, the team couldn’t get over the Golden State hump.
For the Kings, GM Vlade Divac is attempting to revitalize a franchise that hasn’t made a postseason berth since the 2005-06 NBA season. Former fifth-overall draft De’Aaron Fox has shook off a slow rookie season and broke out in big ways during his sophomore year. Sacramento has also found solid contributions from wings Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic along with first-time All-Rookie big man Marvin Bargley III—the 2018 draft’s second overall pick.
Nonetheless, despite the Kings looking to add talent, they don’t seem willing to let go of a first-round pick to acquire Capela’s talents.
The Kings are looking at offering a huge contract to unrestricted free agent big man Al Horford, most recently of the Celtics. Additionally, Sactown is looking like it’ll re-sign free agent forward Harrison Barnes.