NBA Draft Rumors: Predicting Who Houston Rockets Could Be Eyeing at No. 5

The Houston Rockets have been blissfully gallivanting around the Internet for the past few days with trade rumors abound that they are looking to acquire multiple draft picks and turn them into a blockbuster trade. The Sacramento Kings' No. 5 pick has most recently been in their cross-hairs.

After obtaining the 12th pick from the Milwaukee Bucks and the 18th pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston has three first-round picks (they drew the 16th pick at the end of the season), plus one disgruntled yet valuable point guard in Klye Lowry to offer up for trades.

Yahoo!'s Marc Spears tweeted Sacramento is willing to trade their pick, that is, unless Thomas Robinson somehow falls past the top four picks down to them.

While the Houston Rockets seem to be completely unpredictable at this point, there's plenty of time left to speculate who they might want should they end up flipping picks and Lowry for that No. 5 selection.

Dwight Howard

There isn't a new Dwight Howard coming into the league, but Daryl Morey seems hell bent on flying his general manager plane kamikaze-style directly into the Orlando Magic if they don't shake Dwight on over to Houston by the end of the night.

While the Magic ownership continues to treat Dwight Howard like a child with a rubber ducky (according to Bill Ingram at Hoopsworld, Orlando say they're unwilling to deal him at this point), Houston seems to be betting increasingly aggressive.

The Rockets continues to inch their way up the draft board, acquiring new picks, and it seems they're loading up to throw a huge offer at a team willing to trade a superstar. Howard appears to be their main target.

If they end up with the No. 5 pick, expect to hear even more chatter about a Howard trade.

Pau Gasol

As tweeted by ESPN's Chris Broussard, the Houston Rockets may finally be done trying to get Pau Gasol, although that seems like something only to be believed once the big guy finally retires or Daryl Morey finds a new job.

Either way, interest was high in the past, so it's possible they could rekindle the interest if the ultimate push for Howard falls through.

It seems that no trade for Gasol will happen tonight, but it's likely he'll end up going to a new team once free agency starts.

Josh Smith

As reported by Marc Stein of ESPN (via iamagm.com) it's possible that Josh Smith could be the secondary target for the Rockets after their interest in Pau Gasol has waned.

With no way of telling how the draft is going to shake out at this point, the No. 5 pick could be a huge cog in a trade for Smith, especially if any attempt at getting Howard falls through.

Trading for Smith would give Houston a guy who can score 20 or 25 points on any given night, rebound and even pass a little. Smith fills the hole left by Budinger and would be a real centerpiece for the team.

Andre Drummond

As reported by Ken Berger of CBS Sports,the Houston Rockets have been linked to Andre Drummond in the event that should they land the No. 5 pick from the Kings.

You may recall that Drummond is the young center from UConn who has been compared to Dwight Howard when it comes to his size, physicality and athleticism, but also Kwame Brown when it comes to potential. There really isn't a bigger variation in comparisons in the entire draft. Hell, this may be the biggest range in comparisons in the past decades worth of drafts.

What does the report mean in the end for Houston? Well, many things, really. 

They could be willing to take a chance on Drummond, who seems to be a reasonable gamble, but it could also be a smokescreen for another player, one who Portland seemingly wants with their No. 6 pick.

Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard is looking to become the first player from Weber State to be drafted in the first round in...well, ever.

Bob Davis was taken in the second round back in 1972, and most recently, Eddie "The Thrill" Gill played in the league undrafted for the better part of a decade.

In the aforementioned Berger report, Houston might be interested in sneaking into the spot just ahead of Portland to snag the quick little guard right from under their noses.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

While Michael Kidd-Gilchrist hasn't been talked about quite like Drummond or Lillard by Houston, it's hard to imagine that they wouldn't think once or twice about trading up to draft him.

Kidd-Gilchrist fills an immediate hole for them, and falling to fifth means he would be a bargain.

MKG might not be the big superstar trade they're looking for, but he's an athletic wing and a player with tons of potential.

Harrison Barnes

He's more risk and less reward for the Houston Rockets to trade up for when compared to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be an interesting thought in Daryl Morey's head.

Harrison Barnes is a good shooter and an aggressive defender, both things that Houston needs from a wing player after trading Chase Budinger.

Plus, he's still a good trade piece if they take him with the No. 5 pick.