Full Scouting Report for Houston Rockets' Top 2015 NBA Draft Targets

As the NBA draft approaches, the Houston Rockets will be looking to add to their contending rotation. The Rockets, coming off an exciting playoff run before falling short in the conference finals, have a few areas of need, but one above all.

With the 18th pick of the draft, it's pretty clear Houston will select a point guard. Patrick Beverley is coming off an injury and will be a restricted free agent. Jason Terry and Pablo Prigioni's returns are questionable, and they're both on the wrong side of 35 years old. Even James Harden admitted he'd like another playmaker around to help carry the load, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

So yeah, the Rockets should take a point guard. In the middle of the first round, here are three guys general manager Daryl Morey definitely has on his radar.

Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame

Grant is a nice combo guard who can score and pass the basketball. He averaged 16.5 points and 6.6 assists per game last year for the Irish, mainly as a point guard. His three-point shooting needs work at just 31 percent, but he can still play off the ball alongside Harden because of his ability to cut to the basket.

At 6'4", Grant has good size, which pairs nicely with his defensive instincts. He has the length and quickness to be a solid perimeter defender at the next level, which could come in handy should Beverley end up on another team.

But most importantly, he can create offense. He can develop his own scoring or set up others for opportunities, which is exactly the type of playmaking the Rockets need. Ranked at No. 15 by Draft Express, Grant should still be around when Houston is on the clock.

Tyus Jones, PG, Duke

Jones is one spot ahead of Grant on the rankings, coming in at No. 14, and is projected to go to Houston at No. 18 on draft day. Jones is a different style of player than Grant, and although I'd prefer Grant's scoring and defense, Jones also has a lot to offer.

Under head coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, Jones averaged 11.8 points and 5.6 assists. He facilitated one of the most dynamic offenses in the nation that went on to win the national championship. Jones does a nice job of seeing the floor and has experience running the pick-and-roll, which the Rockets like to do.

Defense is Jones' biggest concern. As much as the Rockets need another offensive weapon, they don't want to give up anything on the defensive end that they just corrected this past season.

Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State

The Rockets have drafted a point guard out of Murray State once before in Isaiah Canaan and could do so again this year. Cameron Payne was the Ohio Valley Conference player of the year, grabbing 20.3 points and dishing out 6.0 assists per game for the Racers. Similar to Grant, Payne is a natural scorer who also has upside defensively.

Payne shot a respectable 37.1 percent from deep last year. That number could creep up with James Harden at the helm finding open jump shooters. Payne is also a lefty.

It may go unnoticed, but the Rockets have a lot of left-handed players on the roster. Harden, of course, and Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas, Josh Smith and technically Dwight Howard are all lefties. Instinctively, when defending players usually expect someone to favor their right hand. That split second of thought by a defender can be used as a favorable offensive advantage.

Payne, although ranked No. 20 of all draft prospects, is slotted at No. 14 in Draft Express' latest mock. Houston may even need to trade up, but Morey should definitely give this kid a look.