Rockets owner misrepresenting Houston’s offseason moves

Tilman Fertitta insists the Rockets aren’t being cheap this summer, but it’s hard to explain the team’s free agency losses any other way.

When the Rockets spent big to re-sign Chris Paul this summer fans had every right to think new owner Tilman Fertitta was going to keep the team’s core together.

Unfortunately, every move Fertitta has made since then has served to move Houston down the Western Conference standings.

For what it’s worth, Fertitta insists the team’s moves aren’t about saving him money. He claims the subject of the luxury tax “never came up in any discussion.”

To put it bluntly, that’s pretty difficult to believe. Daryl Morey is far too smart of an executive to allow so much talent to leave for any other reason.

First, the Rockets allowed Trevor Ariza to head to Phoenix. The 33-year-old forward played over 33 minutes per game for the Rockets last season. His ability to guard multiple positions and hit perimeter shots was a big part of the Rockets’ success on both ends of the floor.

The Rockets had every opportunity to outbid Phoenix’s one-year, $15 million offer for Ariza. Instead, they elected him to head to the Suns with no real hope of acquiring a suitable replacement.

Houston had full Bird rights to offer Ariza any type of contract they wanted. They might have been forced to overpay him to keep him in the fold, but it’s a move that would have improved their product on the floor next season.

After letting Ariza go, most people believed Houston would certainly find a way to keep Luc Mbah a Moute. Unfortunately for the Rockets faithful, that didn’t happen either. He’s headed to the Clippers on a one-year, $4.3 million deal.

Mbah a Moute isn’t as talented as Ariza, but he could have helped to replace him for Mike D’Antoni. His departure combined with Ariza’s leaves a giant hole at the forward spot for the Rockets.

If you’re still inclined to give Fertitta the benefit of the doubt, the team’s handling of Clint Capela should be enough to change your mind. The young center is clearly the team’s best big man.

He averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds per game last season while shooting over 65 percent from the field. More importantly, he gave the team a great two-way presence in the playoffs. Houston can’t allow a 23-year-old player of his caliber get away.

Fortunately, Capela is only eligible for restricted free agency this season. The prudent move would be for the Rockets to sign him to a long-term agreement this summer that would keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Unfortunately, Houston hasn’t made him anything close to a competitive offer this summer.

The team’s opening offer to Capela was reportedly in the range of a four-year deal for $60 million. That equates to average starter money. Capela is a potential star. Unsurprisingly, he and his camp are very unhappy with the team at the moment.

This situation may ultimately get resolved, but things don’t look good at the moment.

Evaluating any of these moves on their own might allow you to give Fertitta the benefit of the doubt. Looking at Houston’s summer in total make it clear he isn’t being honest with the fans.

Next: Rockets can't let Clint Capela hit free agency

Barring something unforeseen, the Rockets will enter next season with a significantly weaker roster than they finished last year with. The only rationale explanation for those decisions is to save Fertitta money on his luxury tax bill.