Rockets Realized They Made Mistakes With Chris Paul and Clint Capela Contracts Way too Late

It was recently reported that Rockets GM Daryl Morey is open to trade discussions concerning just about everyone on Houston's roster-- including Chris Paul and Clint Capela. But despite being considered one of the finest executives in the NBA, it's surely dawned on Morey that Paul and Capela's contracts were ultimately significant mistakes.

Perhaps he should have thought more carefully when inking both of them to multi-year deals last summer, as those contracts have wrecked the Rockets' financial flexibility and threatens their ability to retool and compete in the near future.

Signing CP3 to a four-year max contract with a fifth-year player option was pure poison. Despite Paul's brilliance last season, he got injured when it mattered most. There should've been no reason to expect the then 33-year-old guard to improve his play or his health, and he'll be owed over $40 million in the last two years of his deal, which cover his age 35 and age 36 seasons.

Capela has been a major beneficiary of Mike D'Antoni's system, excelling in his role as a close-range finisher and rim protector. The Rockets misperceived his overall value, however, by giving him a five-year deal worth $90 million. That's just too much money for that type of skill set in today's NBA.

Houston will have a very difficult time moving one or both of these guys for any positive assets. Although Morey has moved seemingly immovable contracts before, this hurdle may be too difficult, even for him.

When the Rockets re-signed Capela and Paul last summer, they essentially locked in their roster for the next four years. Now, they are living with the consequences of their actions.