NBA Trade Rumors: 'Handful of Teams' Interested in Rockets' No. 3 Draft Pick

Teams have reached out to the Houston Rockets about acquiring the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA draft, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic:

"Talks have largely been informal, the bulk of concrete offers likely won't come in until draft night, but a handful of teams have expressed interest in acquiring the pick, team and league sources told The Athletic.

"Interested teams would either like to move up to No. 3 or ones that would like to move into the first round altogether, sources said."

Iko also added that the Rockets will listen to other teams' inquiries for the draft pick.

Houston is on the rise, improving from 22-60 in 2022-23 to 41-41 this season. A host of young and promising talent (e.g. Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün) helped the Rockets get there, as did offseason acquisitions, such as point guard Fred VanVleet.

Now Houston is in a great spot to add to that talented group with the No. 3 overall pick, but the Rockets could in theory use that choice as a trade asset for a veteran who can help them improve immediately to continue the team's rapid ascendance.

The 2024 NBA draft class doesn't look particularly strong on paper, with various reports indicating as much.

The Athletic's James L. Edwards III also reported earlier in May that "many around the NBA" believe the No. 5 pick this year is like "the equivalent to the 10th to 12th pick in a normal draft class."

But the fact of the matter is that the No. 3 pick plus assets could still net the Rockets a really good player, and Iko mentioned the possibility of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

Mitchell has one confirmed year left on his deal. He can decline a 2025-26 player option to become a free agent. But if he's not on board with an extension from the Cavs, then it will probably behoove Cleveland to trade him and avoid losing him for nothing next offseason.

Acquiring a five-time All-Star like Mitchell, who just average 26.6 points per game, would obviously be a huge win for Houston. We'll see if that comes to fruition soon enough with the first round of the draft approaching on June 25, but for now, Houston apparently finds itself in an advantageous spot with options while holding the No. 3 overall choice.