Nerlens Noel #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
After the Houston Rockets traded away Clint Capela, they nearly pulled off a trade that would have landed Capela’s replacement.
When the Houston Rockets‘ brass traded Clint Capela for 3-and-D specialist Robert Covington, they did so knowing they needed to replace Capela with a big man. With the Rockets seeking to avoid the luxury tax, they needed the player to be on a fairly low salary, which gave them plenty of options.
Rockets franchise star James Harden had proven to be successful with having a center who could set screens, roll to the basket, and catch lobs over the top.