Phoenix Suns to go after Clint Capela with a "max or near-max" deal

What's the story?

Sources have told USA Today's Kelly Iko that the Phoenix Suns are going to make a huge push for center Clint Capela in the offseason. The rumor is they are going to offer him either a max or near-max deal to join the Suns.

In case you didn't know...

Before being drafted by the Houston Rockets, Capela played professional basketball for Elan Chalon in the French Jeep Elite league. He would play three seasons with the team from 2012 to 2014 after attending high school in Paris.

The heart of the matter...

Capela is in the final year of his rookie deal. He was drafted 25th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2014 NBA Draft. The feeling is that Capela is going to be in for a huge payday.

Even though Capela is a restricted free agent (which means the Houston Rockets can match any offer sheet that Capela signs), the expectation is that there will be several teams that will try to land the talented big man.

Check out the quote from Iko below:

"According to a league source, one such team is the Phoenix Suns. They have kept tabs on him throughout the season, and have reportedly become “enamored” with him. They have plans to offer Capela a max or near-max contract once free agency begins. The source requested anonymity because he isn’t authorized to comment on the Suns’ plans."

The only center the Suns have on their roster currently is Tyson Chandler; who is 35 years old and is owed $13 million next season.

What's next?

Before Capela can worry about free agency, the Houston Rockets are set to start the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Game one takes place on Monday, May 14th and will air on TNT.

Author's take...

Capela is definitely a talented young big man. He averaged a double-double for the Rockets this season and will definitely have a bigger bank account come July 1st when free agents can sign. But first, Capela will try to win an NBA Championship with the Rockets.

Considering the Rockets seem to be intent on keeping their core, rather than break it up in the hopes of signing a big free agent like LeBron James, it wouldn't surprise me if Houston matches any offer Capela signs.