Houston Rockets Draft Picks 2013: Grades, Analysis and Video Breakdown

Chances are, the Houston Rockets' main intentions Thursday night will be clearing cap space in the hopes of signing center Dwight Howard this summer. A potential trade of forward Thomas Robinson, as reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle's Ultimate Rockets blog, would save the team some money, while also sneaking them back into the first round of the draft. 

Name: Isaiah Canaan

Pick: No. 34 overall, Second Round

Position: Point Guard

School: Murray State

Analysis: With Jeremy Lin and Patrick Beverley already on the roster, the selection of Canaan is a bit of a head-scratcher. It is hard to see where he finds minutes with the aforementioned two ahead of him. However, with teams always in need for a point guard, he could have some trade value down the road.

Canaan shot nearly 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range, while averaging 22.1 points per game for Murray State. He also averaged 1.6 steals per game. He doesn't fill a need but, with the Rockets looking to shed payroll to make a run at Dwight Howard, he's a nice asset at a second-round price.  

Grade: B- 

Getting to know Isaiah Canaan

Overall Analysis: It is too early to judge what Houston did here tonight. The Isaiah Canaan pick is interesting, as it doesn't fill a need on a team with a bevy of point guards. Also, after many reports that Thomas Robinson was on his way out to free up cap space, that deal never happened. 

That's not to say that it won't or that Houston can't get something of value for Canaan. However, this couldn't have been what Rockets fans were expecting from their draft night. The team still needs to move Robinson to get into Dwight Howard territory. 

Overall, the team added talent, just not at a need position. The instant reaction is that Houston pulled its punches and didn't make the big splash many had hoped. Of course, many said the same thing after last year's draft and the team ended up acquiring James Harden. 

Stay tuned.