Many Metroplex People Hate Houston, But Mavs Fans Should Embrace The Rockets

Clint Capela
Photo credit Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, yes – I know, why in the world would the Metroplex embrace Houston?

Two words … wait for it … Clint Capela.

Sources said Wednesday (AND SOURCES NEVER LIE) that the Houston Rockets are looking to retool the roster and everyone, save for James Harden and perhaps PJ Tucker, are there for the taking.

So hey Dallas Mavericks, let’s go take (or trade for) Capela.

The why behind it is simple enough as the Mavs have been intrigued by the 6-foot-10 center’s talents for some time now and … shameless plug alert … 105.3 The Fan’s own Mike Fisher said Wednesday the Mavs would reach out to the Rockets to gauge the possibilities for a deal. Capela would be the final piece for an all-European born frontline that includes Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Capela, by the way, would be the old man of that trio at a whopping 25. Could be the core for the next eight years or so.

The how … well, that’s more difficult, so let’s focus more on the why.

With Dwight Powell opting out (and yes, for the purposes of this I’m assuming it was not to negotiate a longer deal and he is going away), the Mavs could have $39.6 (more reasonable) to $48.3 million (if you renounce a handful of players’ rights) of salary room for new players. Capela is only one season into a 5-year, $90 million deal so he’ll take $18 million out of that … don’t worry, I’ll do the math for you … that leaves $21.6-30.3 million to spend.

That spectrum sounds about right for Klay Thompson, Kemba Walker, D’Angelo Russell or Goran Dragic.

Intrigued? Well, you should be!

A starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Thompson or Dragic, Luka, Kristaps and Capela sounds like something the Mavs can roll into the playoffs with next season with plenty of room to grow for years to come. While a lineup of Walker or Russell, Tim Hardaway, Jr. or Justin Jackson, Luka, Kristaps and Capela could accomplish the same goal (more or less)!

BUT …

Back to the how.

The problem with this scenario is the Mavs don’t have a plethora of desirable young players or any tradable draft picks for the next five years to make the Rockets want to do this deal without a salary dump. So yes, there is a good shot making this deal eliminates the rest of Dallas’ usable cap space (as you saw in the Kristaps deal). I understand people will suggest sending a bunch of non-desirable salaries back to Houston, but the Rockets hold the cards in this deal and will not be taking much, if any, junk back in the trade.

But even in that scenario, you get your frontcourt of the foreseeable future and a player that is instantly your best rebounder on a club that could use an upgrade on the glass. Does that make a Big 3? Well, I don’t know about all that, but it is another big step forward and that is (or at least should be) what the Mavs and their fans are all about right now.

So yes Dallas, let’s embrace Houston … but just for this deal … then you can go back to hating whoever you like.

Yet another example of how sports brings folks together!