Pre-Draft Outlook
The Rockets slipped out of mainstream relevance with a three-year postseason drought on the heels of an eight-year playoff streak. But the club has quietly assembled a promising collection of young talent in Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason and Kevin Porter Jr. In the offseason, they also added what appears to be the ideal coach in Ime Udoka to lead that group. If the rumors are true that 10-time All-Star James Harden is eyeing a return to Houston, you can bet the Rockets are quickly transitioning into win-now mode. That means there will be some flexibility with Houston’s No. 4 pick, which could be packaged with future picks to land an established vet or simply select among some of the top talents of the 2023 draft class.
The Way To Go
You can never go wrong with versatile, athletic wings and Houston has plenty of options there starting with Overtime Elite’s Amen Thompson and Alabama’s Brandon Miller. It’s almost a sure bet that Rockets GM Rafael Stone is fielding multiple inquiries from teams looking to acquire the team’s lottery pick in the Draft, and it will be difficult to convince Houston to move off that pick considering all the solid young potential difference makers available at No. 4. Thompson possesses the size to contribute on the wing, not to mention the playmaking characteristics of a point guard with the athleticism to impact the Rockets immediately on both ends of the floor. Thompson’s identical twin brother, Ausar, while Villanova’s Cam Whitmore and Houston product Jarace Walker are also viable options, too.
— Michael C. Wright
Here’s a quick look at who the Houston Rockets have under contract, who is a free agent this summer and who they added in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Under Contract
G: Josh Christopher
G: Jalen Green
G: Daishen Nix
G: TyTy Washington Jr.
G/F: Kevin Porter Jr.
F: Jabari Smith Jr.
F: Jae’Sean Tate
F: Usman Garuba
F: Tari Eason
C: Alperen Sengun
Free Agents
G: D.J. Augustin (unrestricted)
G: Trevor Hudgins (two-way)
F: Darius Days (two-way)
F: Kenyon Martin Jr. (team option)
F/C: Frank Kaminsky (unrestricted)
C: Willie Cauley-Stein (unrestricted)
C: Boban Marjanovic (unrestricted)
> 2023 Free Agent Tracker
Last Year’s Draft
2022: Jabari Smith Jr. (3), Tari Eason (17), TyTy Washington Jr. (29)*
* = acquired via trade
** = traded in draft-night deal
*** = traded in offseason deal