Houston Rockets Rumours: Kevin Love linked with blockbuster trade, Clint Capela could leave and more

Despite lofty expectations upon entering the season, the Houston Rockets once again fell short in their quest to win an NBA Championship. Mike D'Antoni's men succumbed to a 4-2 series defeat to Golden State in the Western Conference semi-finals and many are speculating which route forward they will now take.

A large portion of their coaching staff has already been fired, while a number of the existing roster are being linked with departures. So as we head towards the offseason, here are all the latest Rockets rumours you need to know...

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Clint Capela could be among the major departures

Clint Capela struggled during the Rockets' playoff defeat to the Warriors

Houston hoped that Clint Capela would develop into their third star this season, although the Swiss center endured an inconsistent year. Capela recorded regular season career highs in points (16.6) and rebounds (12.7), however, he struggled during the playoffs - averaging just 9.7 points per game.

Capela was notably dominated by Draymond Green during the Rockets elimination to the Warriors and due to limited cap space, Forbes is reporting that he could be offloaded this summer:

The dilemma is that Capela will earn a base salary of $14.9 million next year, an extremely cap friendly contract for a player with his aggregate production. He’s also been dominant in particularly important matchups. This is to say that in normal circumstances, Capela would be considered close to untouchable as a partner for James Harden.

But the Rockets have very few other avenues through which to improve. The team will have its taxpayer mid-level exception and Eric Gordon's expiring contract, but no other tradable assets. In a perfect world, Houston could hold on to Capela and just not rely upon him again in a Warriors matchup. But as the Rockets desperately need viable bodies for that inevitable matchup, in the modern salary cap era, Capela just may be a luxury management cannot afford.

Could Kevin Love head to Houston?

Kevin Love is expected to depart the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer

Since LeBron James left the Cavs last summer, Kevin Love has increasingly looked like the odd man out. At 30, he doesn't fit with Cleveland's long-term rebuild, and ESPN's Will Cain has suggested that the Rockets could target the All-Star:

The Rockets have to consider drastic moves. How about Kevin Love from the Cleveland Cavaliers. How about adding a guy like Kevin Love to James Harden and Chris Paul. It may cost you a young player. It may cost you a guy like Clint Capela, who when it comes to the playoffs, hasn't been what he was during the regular season. The Cavs have to figure out what to do with Kevin Love, he doesn't fit their timeline.

Love signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Cavs last summer, although injury issues meant that he played just 22 times this past season.

Mike D’Antoni's wants to remain as head coach; Rockets may force him out

Mike D'Antoni wants to remain in Houston for at least another two years

Earlier this week, Fox 26's Mark Berman asked Mike D'Antoni about his future in the NBA - the Rockets head coach had this to say:

We've been in contract discussions and we still are about the extension. I think I can go two or three more years at the level I want to be at and everything will play out in the near future.

However, despite his desire to remain in Houston, Marc Stein of The New York Times believes that D'Antoni may leave the Rockets this summer:

The flurry of changes imposed on D'Antoni's staff has some in the coaching community wondering if the Rockets are trying to nudge D'Antoni toward the exit

Since being appointed as head coach in 2016, D'Antoni has lead the Rockets to an impressive 173-73 record, and his team came within one game of the NBA Finals last season.