Cake King officially returns! Details of Capela s contract are revealed

In an epic deal involving seven teams, Clint Capela returns to the Houston Rockets to sign a three-year, $21.1 million contract with the team, which includes a 5% margin for trading.

This signing not only excited Rockets fans, but also marked a significant improvement in the team's interior depth.

Salary website Spotrac has announced the specific structure of Capela's new contract:

2025-26 season: 6.7 million US dollars

2026-27 season: 7.03 million US dollars

2027-28 season: 7.37 million US dollars

It is worth noting that according to NBA rules, Capela cannot be traded until December 15 this year, which means that the Rockets will maintain a stable inside rotation at least at the beginning of the season.

Capela played for the Rockets from 2014 to 2018, forming a classic "All-City" combination with James Harden, and helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals twice. After leaving the Rockets, he continued to show the value of a top blue-collar center in the Hawks, but his condition declined last season due to injuries and age.

Now returning, Capela will wear the No. 21 jersey (previously worn No. 15 in the Rockets), forming one of the most in-depth inside rotations in the league with Alperen Shinkyung and Steven Adams.

Currently, the Rockets have strong inside strength, including Shin Kyung (All-star offensive center), Adams (Rebound Monster, Defensive Support), and Capela (Pick-and-roll Finish + Frame Protection Expert).

combinations allow the Rockets to rotate flexibly in the regular season, avoiding over-consuming any player, while ensuring the competitiveness of the playoffs. At the same time, they may also be used together. General Manager Stone said in an interview that he will continue to try to play double highs in the new season.

In addition, Capela's contract contains 5% of the trading margin, which means that if the Rockets decide to trade him in the future, they must pay an additional 5% of their remaining contract amount as compensation. This clause shows the Rockets' emphasis on Capela and also provides him with additional guarantees.

Although Capela cannot be traded at the moment, after December 15, the Rockets may decide whether to adjust the lineup based on the team's record and chemistry. If the Rockets have a good situation in the playoffs, Capela is likely to stay in the team; if the record is not good, he may become a bargaining chip.