Thanks to February’s NBA trade deadline deal involving Eric Gordon and a pick-swap right obtained from the Los Angeles Clippers, the Houston Rockets ultimately moved up from the No. 30 draft selection (via Milwaukee) of the 2023 first round to No. 20 overall.
But despite that increased value, the Rockets might not stay there.
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As part of Houston’s rebuilding movement in recent years, they already have a roster deep with young prospects. Furthermore, the Rockets are expected to sign several players in free agency with their league-leading figure of about $60 million in salary cap flexibility.
With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman reports:
Teams and agents do not expect the Houston Rockets to keep the No. 20 pick. This would be a spot on the board where Houston would simply look for a future protected first-rounder in return.
Effectively, general manager Rafael Stone could be hoping to roll over that asset into a future year in which Houston might not have as much of a roster crunch when it comes to young players.
Here’s a roundup of Monday’s news and notes related to the Rockets. With rumors reaching a crescendo on the NBA’s annual draft week, we’ll do this each day leading up to Thursday’s big day.
Teams and agents do not expect the Houston Rockets to keep the No. 20 pick. This would be a spot on the board where Houston would simply look for a future protected first-rounder in return.
Cam Whitmore, more than a year younger than the Thompsons, has closed the gap on the No. 4 spot during the pre-draft process. His effortless athleticism and shot-making during workouts suggest both a high floor and high ceiling.
However, a week before the draft, sources still say Amen Thompson has the edge with his needed playmaking and defense next to Jalen Green.
Assuming Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson are taken before the Rockets are on the clock with the fourth pick, most forecasts have them weighing a choice of Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore.
Thompson, a 6-7 point guard, has been described as having the greatest upside in the draft other than Wembanyama, but with the risk that comes with poor perimeter shooting. Whitmore, a 6-7 forward, also would bring explosive athleticism if not to Thompson’s level and has a better shot that could keep getting better. But he is extremely young, he turns 19 in three weeks, will need time to develop and does not show the same sort of feel offensive.
The Raptors have been repeatedly mentioned by league executives as one of the teams, in addition to New Orleans, Houston and Washington, that will continue attempting to move into the top three as the draft approaches. Toronto has also contacted Houston about the No. 4 pick, sources said.
The Rockets have also attempted to bring G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson to Houston for a pre-draft visit, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, albeit so far to no success.
Amen Thompson’s workout in Houston left the Rockets brass highly impressed with his blend of athleticism and power for his size and age.
Prior to working out with the Rockets this weekend, Cam Whitmore was asked why he could be the right fit in Houston. He replied:
Everyone on the team is versatile, and I definitely fit into that category. I think it would be a great fit.
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