The Houston Rockets had a successful season, winning 41 games, and received good news when their pick from the Brooklyn Nets, acquired in the James Harden trade, jumped from ninth to third in the draft lottery. This marks the fourth consecutive year the Rockets will have a top four pick, with previous selections including Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson. General manager Rafael Stone expressed that the top of the draft is strong but there is no consensus pick, making it difficult to evaluate young players.
Speculation surrounding what the Rockets will do with the pick includes the possibility of trading it. Top prospects in the draft include Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, Donovan Clingan, Reed Sheppard, and Rob Dillingham. With a roster already filled with young talent, including former lottery picks Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore, it may be challenging to find playing time for another young prospect. The Rockets’ success in the previous season could make the case for trading the pick for an established player.
The Rockets’ own pick landed at 12th, which will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a previous trade involving Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. General manager Rafael Stone’s decision to trade James Harden for future draft picks has already shown promise, with Tari Eason making an impact in the previous season. Houston still has swap rights in 2025 and 2027, along with Brooklyn’s pick outright in 2026.
This marks the third time in franchise history that the Rockets will have the third overall pick, with previous selections including Jabari Smith Jr. and Rodney McCray. The third pick has produced 11 future All-Stars dating back to 2001, including Pau Gasol, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, and Luka Doncic. The Rockets will have a tough decision to make on how to maximize the value of their draft picks and continue building a competitive team for the future.
Overall, the Rockets find themselves in a strong position with a high draft pick and a promising young core. The decision to potentially trade the pick will depend on the team’s long-term goals and whether they believe adding another young prospect or an established player would be more beneficial. With an eye on the future and a track record of successful draft picks, the Rockets have the potential to continue building a competitive and talented roster for years to come.
