It may be open season near the top of this year’s NBA Draft.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports this week that the Houston Rockets, who hold the No. 3 overall selection in next month’s draft, will discuss the pick in trade talks leading up to draft night. Scotto notes that the Rockets are transitioning to “win-now” mode and are looking to take the next step after showing tangible signs of improvement this season under new head coach Ime Udoka.
Indeed, Houston has one of the brightest current outlooks of any team in this year’s draft lottery. They already have a budding star in the frontcourt (Alperen Sengun) as well as in the backcourt (Jalen Green). On top of that, the Rockets also have exciting complementary pieces, both young (like Cam Whitmore, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson) and older (such as Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks).
After going 41-41 this season (a remarkable 19-win improvement over last season), it would indeed make more sense for the Rockets to pool the assets they already have into a bigger trade package rather than taking on another project prospect. Elsewhere in the NBA, there are a few big fish that could become available for trade, and it sounds like Houston is willing to dangle the No. 3 pick to help create a very competitive offer.
