2015 NBA Draft Combine Prospects the Houston Rockets Must Watch Most Closely
Despite the exciting playoff run for the Houston Rockets, you know general manager Daryl Morey is keeping an eye on the NBA Draft Combine. The Rockets have had a great season, but Morey is always looking for ways to improve the roster.
Houston arguably has the premier shooting guard and center in the NBA in James Harden and Dwight Howard. It also has a very respectable small forward in Trevor Ariza. That leaves point guard and power forward as the two positions of need for the Rockets, which they'll be looking for with the No. 18 pick in the draft courtesy of the New Orleans Pelicans.
As of now, the Rockets are trotting out two 37-year-old point guards in their playoff rotation. Jason Terry's deal is up at the end of the season, and Pablo Prigioni, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, has admitted he'll probably end up back in Europe next year. Patrick Beverley is the projected starter next season, but even he has his own surrounding question marks, including injury troubles and a qualifying offer looming ahead this summer.
Point guard is the obvious choice for Morey heading into draft day, but the Rockets could also use some extra big men in the rotation in addition to Dwight. Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas are both very talented young forwards, and even Clint Capela is emerging as a possible contributor in the years to come. However, are these guys good enough to make Houston a championship-caliber team?
Considering the Rockets' current title window, Morey will probably look to free agency to address most of the pressing needs. The roster next season is still quite blurry and contingent upon what Josh Smith and Corey Brewer decide to do as potential free agents. Yet Morey is always building for the future while maintaining a competitive present, so he will without a doubt be using this draft to improve.
The combine is a bit different this year, focusing more on 5-on-5 exhibitions. There are several quality candidates suiting up for scouts in Chicago this year, and Houston will have its eyes on a select few.
Jerian Grant, 6'4'' PG, Notre Dame
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Jerian Grant wrapped up a solid senior campaign for the Fighting Irish, averaging 16.5 points and 6.7 assists. He is an excellent athlete and can play at either the 1 or 2, which fits nicely with Houston because he'll have to play off the ball some if he's on the same team as Harden.
With the Rockets' new focus on defense, Grant would be a solid pick. He has good size and speed, making him a pesky defender on the perimeter.
Offensively, Grant is great at slashing and attacking the basket. His biggest issue is his jump shot. After shooting over 40 percent from deep in his junior season, he dropped way down to just 31 percent this past year. The Rockets launch a ton of threes, so they'll be watching to see if he has improved from behind the arc at all at the combine.
Grant is ranked right at No. 18 on Chad Ford's big board. He's the fourth-highest point guard in his class, but he's the best one Houston actually has a shot to get. He will most likely be in play when the Rockets are on the clock, and I would not be surprised if Morey pulled the trigger on the Notre Dame guard.
Bobby Portis, 6'11'' PF, Arkansas
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Portis dominated in his sophomore season for the Razorbacks, posting 17.5 points and 8.9 boards per contest. He has a well-rounded game that would jell nicely with the Rockets' style of play.
At 6'11'', Portis has some serious height, but the best part is that he also has a great jumper. He can hit the mid-range and even knock down some triples, shooting 46.7 percent from deep last season. Houston would benefit from a tall defender who can space the floor with long-range shots alongside Dwight. Portis would be that guy.
On the big board, Portis comes in at No. 17, one spot ahead of Grant. Even though Houston desperately needs some help at the point, Portis would be a perfect match for Morey's system. He also has an advantage over Grant because he is a couple of years younger and still has room to grow.
Either of these guys would be a great option for the mid-first round.
Terry Rozier, 6'2'' PG, Louisville
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At first, I did not like Rozier for the Rockets with this first-rounder. At No. 25 on the big board, Rozier evidently has a lot of talent, but he was fairly inconsistent in his two years for Rick Pitino and the Cardinals.
Last season, Rozier averaged 17.1 points, but on just 41.1 percent shooting. He can be a little all over the place at times, not making the right decisions. His three-point shooting is also a concern, at just 30.6 percent last year after 37.1 percent during his freshman campaign.
However, in his two exhibitions at the combine, Rozier has impressed, according to Sam Vecenie of CBSSports.com. A lot of other first-round projections decided to opt out of these scrimmages, but not Rozier. He decided to play and it appears to be paying off.
While his shooting still has not been great, Rozier has done a nice job of running the point position in its true sense. The Rockets don't have a true point guard, mostly because Harden dominates the ball, but if Morey wanted someone to facilitate when the Beard is on the bench, Rozier could be a decent option.
His best attribute is his defense. He may not be big, but he's quick and deceptively lengthy, which makes him a good on-ball defender and rebounder for his size. He also has a knack for finishing tough shots in the paint around bigger defenders. Morey will want to take a look at this guy.
R.J. Hunter, 6'6'' SG, Georgia State
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In case you're wondering, this is the guy who hit the shot that made his poor coach (and dad) fall out of his chair. In a stunning upset, Hunter hit a ridiculous three-pointer to take down the Baylor Bears, but what many people don't realize is that Hunter hits shots like that on a regular basis.
Hunter may be one of the best long-range snipers in this draft class, which is why he makes the list. Even though he's not a position of need, he would definitely help the Rockets with a three-point shooting role.
Every year, I always add a guy like this to the Rockets' watch list simply because he can shoot the lights out. The Rockets take the most threes of any NBA team, yet their average is just middle of the pack. Not a single guy on the roster had a three-point percentage north of 40 percent, which is a problem. Hunter would fix that, and at No. 21 on the big board, he is a realistic target.
He may have just shot 30.5 percent last year, but don't let that fool you. He was forced to take a lot of shots playing for a not-so-talented Georgia State team by opting to play for his father instead of pursuing a scholarship with a big-six school.
Without having to hog the ball in Houston, Hunter would be a lethal spot-up shooter in the Rockets' system. He also is a very smart player who can hold his own defensively. Just think about it, Morey.
Christian Wood, 6'1'' PF, UNLV
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I like Wood specifically as a role player for the Rockets. He can be an extra big man who puts in quality minutes for Houston like he did in college.
In his sophomore year, Wood averaged a double-double with 15.7 points and 10.0 rebounds for the Rebels. He's a beast in the paint on both sides. Not only does he have the size and length, but he's also a very good athlete down low.
When Dwight Howard takes a rest, or potentially even gets hurt again (let's hope not), Wood can fill in and anchor the defense. He can jump out of the building, and he averaged nearly three blocks per game last season. He needs to add strength, but the NBA has the best trainers in the world for that, so it's not a huge concern.
The Rockets are already a great team with a solid roster, plus they will have flexibility in the market this summer. However, Morey is always looking for another project in the draft to turn into a star, or at least a good role player. The draft may not be the main focus in Houston right now, but nonetheless the combine may be featuring a key contributor for the Rockets next season.
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