Capela: Harden did recruit me to the Clippers, but I still want to go back to Houston!

"Harden's cake? I chose to go back to the Rockets to eat up feelings!" Capela returned to Houston for 21.5 million in three years and admitted in person: Harden has indeed recruited me, but I still want to go back to Houston more! The Cake King Capela is finally home!

Just less than 48 hours after the free market opened, Rockets fans were waiting for the most tearful news - 31-year-old Clint Capela returned to Houston with a three-year, $21.5 million contract! In this transaction of signing first and then exchange, the Eagles only got the second round of pick swap rights and cash in 2031, which is almost equivalent to free gift.

What's more exciting is that Capela personally admitted: "Harden did call me to go to the Clippers to continue partnering, but I told him - I want to go back to the Rockets, this is where the dream begins!"

6 Years of Reincarnation: From "Big Eater" to "Downloading Room Boy"

When Capela was traded by the Rockets in 2018, he still relied on Harden to feed the cake. Now that he returns, his identity has completely changed:

- The oldest veteran: No one knows better among the Rockets players in the active Rockets (2014-2018+2025)

- The rebounder is still the same: Average of 21 minutes in the Hawks last season, and still grabs 8.5 rebounds (2.9 frontcourt boards 12th in the league)

- The locker room Dinghai Needle: Jaylen Green and Amen Thompson, the newcomers who grew up watching the Rockets video back then "Coach Uduka said he needed a center who can teach young people to get stuck, so I made the decision directly on the phone!" Capela laughed out loud during the phone interview in the early morning.

The Rockets' pick-and-roll password is back

Don't look at Capela's data not exploded (8.9 points + 55.9% hit rate last season), he solved the Rockets' pain points:

1. Van Vleet's ecstasy: The Rockets' pick-and-roll scored seventh last year, and Capela's pick-and-roll efficiency is still 20% in the top center

2. Jiefang Shenjing: The Turkish guy can help with peace of mind without having to fight each game with rebounds

3. 5-second fast attack artifact: Capela's running speed ranks fifth among the center, perfectly adapted to Amen Thompson's long pass from shells

From this, the Rockets' lineup next season does make all teams in the league sweat.

Smart operation: Stone has gained a bargain again

This contract can be regarded as a textbook operation: emotional box office win-win: The official announcement of the sales of the 10-minute jersey exceeded 1,000.

Compared with Finney Smith's 53 million in 4 years, the Rockets' deal is like touching money from the Eagles' pocket!

Behind the rejection of the Clippers: Capela's sober account

Why did he give up the temptation of Harden + Los Angeles? Capela thought it very clearly:

- Tactical status: In the Clippers, they can only play a substitute for Zubac, and the Rockets averaged 25 minutes per game.

- Family factors: His Houston house has never been sold, and the child was born here.

- Commercial layout: The headquarters of the personal brand "Swiss Cake" is located in South City, Houston.

With Capela joining, the Rockets' lineup has been completely formed:

Starting: Van Vleet Amen Jr. Jabarri Smith Durant Shinkin

Substitute: Shepard-Adams Whitmore Ethan Capela-DFS

This team has an average age of 24.3 years, but has two veterans with experience in the finals (Van Jordan + Capela). In the chaos in the West, they may go further than the old teams such as the Suns and the Lakers.

When seeing Capela off 6 years ago, Morey said "for the future"; now Stone welcomes him back, shouting "Win in the present." This signing is like installing a stabilizer for the Rockets' young army - when Capela shouted in the locker room, "We are going to compete for the championship", who dares not fight to the death?

"Harden did recruit me to the Clippers, but I wanted to go back to Houston where my dream began, and it all seemed like that, the Rockets management called me. They asked me if I was considering returning to it. I agreed without hesitation, it was all so suddenly. It was crazy. I really went back to Houston and back to my most comfortable place." Capela said.