Rockets don't waste any time as NBA free agency begins

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Today's starting lineup

The Rockets, thanks to their blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant, already had one of the more headline-grabbing offseasons for any NBA team before free agency began Monday evening. Houston didn't rest on its laurels, getting to work early in free agency by agreeing to deals with Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, repatriating the latter after trading him away five years ago.

Please scroll down for the rest of this morning’s headlines.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Rockets / NBA

Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) defends as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) attempts to drive to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Photo by: Michael Wyke, Associated Press

Back where he began

The Rockets agreed to their second deal since free agency opened Monday evening, bringing center Clint Capela back to the team after five years away.

Finney-Smith on board: The Rockets wasted no time to start NBA free agency, agreeing with former Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year contract. Read More

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Another to injured list

Jeremy Peña, sidelined since being hit with a pitch during Friday's win over the Cubs, is heading to the IL with a fractured rib.

'We were getting no love': A lot of teams salute their bullpen when rounding the bases after home runs, but the Astros didn't do it until this year. Steven Okert is changing that with hilarious results. Read More
Futures is now: Astros prospects Brice Matthews and Alimber Santa picked to play in the upcoming All-Star Futures Game. Read More

UH Athletics

University of Houston athletic director Eddie Nuñez sits at the podium as he is introduced as the school’s 14th athletic director on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 in Houston. Nuñez comes to Houston after holding leadership positions at New Mexico and LSU. He was the athletic director at New Mexico.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

'Huge leap' in sight for football?

UH football and basketball are expected to get the biggest chunks as NCAA schools can begin to directly pay student-athletes beginning Tuesday.

Name staying the same: Despite a corporate merger, the name of UH's football stadium will keep the TDECU branding for the 2025 season. Read More

College Athletics

Texas State Bobcats quarterback Jordan McCloud (3) looks to pass during the second half of the H-Town Showdown college football game at NRG Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Move becomes official

The Bobcats give the Pac-12 an eighth football-playing member, finalizing a move Texas State described as a "transformative milestone."

WNBA

CONTACT FILED: HOUSTON COMETS Comets coach Van Chancellor, Cynthia Cooper, Tammy Jackson, and Sheryl Swoops hold up four trophies representing their four straight WNBA championships during a rally after a parade in downtown Houston, 8/29/00. (Buster Dean/Chronicle)

Photo by: Buster Dean, Staff / Houston Chronicle

Not Houston's time ...

The WNBA had just 12 teams in 2024. It will have have 18 by 2030, but Houston, which was bidding to bring the Comets back, was shut out.

... but ‘Stay tuned on that’: Houston wasn't chosen for a WNBA expansion team Monday, but commissioner Cathy Engelbert pointed out the city as a market the league still has its eye on. Read More