Rockets, Capela sign $90M, 5-year extension

HOUSTON – Clint Capela has signed a five-year, $90 million extension with the Houston Rockets.

Capela, who was a restricted free agent, started a career-high 74 games last season in helping Houston reach the Western Conference finals.

The 6-foot-10 center averaged 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks – all career-highs – last season. The 24-year-old had 42 double-doubles last season and Houston was 25-2 when he scored 15 or more points.

Capela, who the Rockets drafted with the 25th pick in 2014, has steadily improved in his four NBA seasons and his development has helped him become a key piece of this team led by James Harden, who won his first MVP award last month.

The deal was first reported by ESPN.