Rockets News: Who Experts Expect Team to Select With No. 4 Pick
The Houston Rockets are still trying to get back to being a legitimate playoff contender. It hasn't happened yet, which is why they now own a top-four draft pick in the NBA draft for a third consecutive year.
On Tuesday, the Rockets learned they'll be picking fourth in this year's draft on June 22. They were one of three teams with the best odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick at 14 percent, but they ended up behind the San Antonio Spurs (No. 1), Charlotte Hornets (No. 2) and Portland Trail Blazers (No. 3).
It was an unfortunate outcome for Houston, which could have taken 19-year-old French phenom Victor Wembanyama at No. 1. The franchise will have to decide whether to wait until No. 4 to pick a player or trade up, which would likely mean parting with substantial draft capital.
In 2021, Houston used the No. 2 overall pick on G League Ignite guard Jalen Green, and it selected Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. at No. 3 the following year. Neither player swiftly changed the course of the Rockets, though, as they went 22-60 during the 2022-23 season.
Now, Houston will likely again add to its young core by using the No. 4 pick this year. But who will it take?
B/R's Jonathan Wasserman, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie and ESPN's Jonathan Givony all have the Rockets taking the same player: Amen Thompson.
All three writers believe Wembanyama, G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama forward Brandon Miller will be the first three names off the board. That would leave Thompson, who spent the past two years playing in Overtime Elite, as the best available player.
But Wasserman won't be surprised if Houston tries to trade up from No. 4.
"Expect the Rockets to try and move up to No. 2 for Henderson, who'd form an explosive pair with Jalen Green," he wrote.
However, if Houston does that and is unsuccessful, Thompson could still provide an upgrade to its roster. The point guard could serve as an anchor in the team's backcourt for the long-term future.
The 20-year-old was one of the top players in Overtime Elite, an Atlanta-based pro basketball league for ages 16-20.
"Thompson is arguably the most physically gifted prospect in this class, standing 6-7, with an NBA-ready frame, thermonuclear explosiveness in the open floor and the defensive versatility to guard point guards through power forwards," Givony wrote.
Assuming the Rockets don't trade up and the top three players in the class (Wembanyama, Henderson and Miller) are unavailable at No. 4, it's hard to imagine them not taking Thompson. But there have been surprises in the NBA draft before, so anything is possible.
