25-under-25: The best of the rest

MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Clint Capela, Houston Rockets, Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings

HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 31: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets battles Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings for a rebound at Toyota Center on January 31, 2017 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

26. Clint Capela, Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have pushed their chips in. They have made their trade for Chris Paul to pair with James Harden and have asserted themselves as the biggest challenge to the Golden State Warriors. That makes their young players more of a premium, because of their cost control and value in future trades, and requires them to step up to the plate.

That is what the Rockets have asked of center Clint Capela for several years since letting Dwight Howard walk in free agency. And, as part of this title-contending team, that is what they will ask of him again.

The 6-foot-10 center seemed to step into the starting role well last year, averaging 12.6 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game. He posted 10.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in the playoffs for the Rockets.

The team will have more offensive weapons this year. It is not that Capela needs the ball. But the team will need him to do more. Now is his time in the spotlight. Capela seems like he is the perfect center for the Rockets and their analytically driven general manager, Daryl Morey.

He sets strong screens, rolls hard to the basket and finishes above the rim. On defense he is a strong rim protector, giving up just 49.5 percent shooting at the rim according to NBA.com’s Player Tracking stats.

Next: 25-under-25 -- The best young players in the NBA

That is going to make him incredibly valuable for the Rockets this coming season. Their defense will rely on his shot blocking and the Rockets will need his screening to free up their aggressive ball handlers in the pick and roll.

Capela may not be the best individual player on this list, but he might be the one who makes the biggest impact in the NBA season.

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