Multiple reports and the majority of expert mock drafts have pointed to the Rockets leaning toward G League Ignite wing Jalen Green as their choice with the No. 2 pick in the draft. However, speaking about the draft on Wednesday, general manager Rafael Stone was unwilling to drop any hints about whether that speculation is accurate.
According to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle, Stone didn’t even want to commit to the Rockets keeping their current picks (including the 23rd and 24th overall selections) and said he’d rather not make up his mind yet about which player he wants to draft at any of those spots, including No. 2.
“I actually do believe that’s the wrong approach,” the Rockets’ GM said. “I think the right approach is to do the work, work as hard as you can, use every minute, and keep every option open. It’s still not guaranteed that we’re picking (at all) or that we’re picking in that spot. It’s more likely than not. It always is. It’s our job to figure out what possibilities exist.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Kelly Iko and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic discuss what the Rockets will do with their three first-round picks, exploring what sort of trade scenarios might be realistic.
- In a separate story, Iko reports that the Rockets are expected to continue talking to the Pistons about the No. 1 pick and have received some interest in teams looking to move up to No. 2, but the most likely scenario is that Houston stays put. The club has also fielded “dozens” of calls about the Nos. 23 and 24 picks, Iko adds.
- Texas big man Kai Jones visited the Spurs earlier this week, per Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee (Twitter link). Jones could be an option for San Antonio at No. 12 in next Thursday’s draft.
- As the Grizzlies weigh their options in free agency and on the trade market, their decision tree will start with Justise Winslow‘s team option, writes Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian. The club’s decision on that $13MM option will be a major factor in dictating how much cap flexibility Memphis has this offseason. For his part, Herrington would pass on that option.
- This offseason will be a revealing one for Zach Kleiman and the Grizzlies‘ other top decision-makers, according to Mark Giannotto of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, who suggests that decisions on Winslow’s option and a possible rookie scale extension for Jaren Jackson will provide major hints about the team’s direction.
Dynamic scorers Jalen Green & Kevin Porter Jr paired with elite defenders JaSean Tate & Kenyon Martin Jr will give Houston a big, athletic & electric backcourt for years to come. It’s a no brainer to grab Green if he’s still there at 2 & I love Cade but Weaver should think long & hard about grabbing Green at 1 fr
I don’t know man, that doesn’t sound like a winning team to me, but there isn’t hardly a player on Houston right now that seems like the answer or that I would want on my team instead.
I don’t see it I guess.
That’s sounds like a bottom 5 team in the West.
Honestly, that sounds like a bottom 5 team in the ACC.
They have two more decent first round picks this year plus at least two first rounders in each of the next two drafts (possibly six total). Plus they already have C. Wood so this is anything but a bottom 5 team in the West. They could very well make the play-in tournament in 2022.
Yeah, maybe in your 2k simulation
I can’t wait to see the surprise from all the doubters here when Houston doubles their win total next season. 34-48 isn’t an unreasonable goal for this team.
Like i said, sounds like a bottom 5 team in the west.
The Thunder, Wolves, Pelicans, Kings, and Spurs will be the bottom 5 in the West.
I appreciate that you love your team, but the Rockets were the worst team in the NBA last year. They are not jumping 5 teams in the West based only on adding the #2 pick. They will be lucky to win 20 next year unless they make some kind of trade for a star or two.
I’m cool with them winning 20 again. Why win 30 and get the 10-14th pick when you can tank again and complete the process.
Ask Minnesota or Sacramento or Cleveland how that process works. Tanking is not always successful.
Tbh Winslow is kinda been a bad role player since leaving the vice. Kinda defends, scoring is decent. Probably a vet minimum signing for a team like the Wizards or one that needs a deeper bench.
1 and 2 won’t be traded
3, 4 and 5 are likely to be traded
Both Suggs and Kuminga will drop out of top 5?
I don’t think so
If Hosuton makes what I think would be a mistake and takes Green Cleveland will jump at Mobley at 3. Otherwise they’ll trade it cause they don’t need another high usage guard.