Having snagged the third overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, the Rockets are in good position to add one of the best prospects in this year’s class without having to worry too much about that player’s fit alongside last year’s No. 2 pick Jalen Green.
As Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle writes, big men Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero are widely considered to be this year’s top three prospects and don’t overlap positionally at all with Green. All three have been mentioned in the conversation for the No. 1 pick and are different from the frontcourt players on Houston’s current roster, Feigen adds.
Still, general manager Rafael Stone isn’t closing the door on the possibility that the Rockets could make a trade involving that No. 3 pick.
“There’s going to be a really good player available at three,” Stone said, per Feigen. “It’s on us to make sure we pick him, assuming we pick it. Nobody ever believes me, but that’s always in the cards: that it might make more sense for us to trade it.”
Here’s more out of Houston:
- Within that same Houston Chronicle story, Feigen also takes a behind-the-scenes look at the experience Rockets general counsel Clay Allen had in the lottery drawing room on Tuesday. Allen was pleased with the end result, expressing relief that the team didn’t slip to No. 4 or No. 5. “The whole day was nerve-wracking,” he said.
- Rockets assistant coaches Jeff Hornacek and Will Weaver won’t be returning to the coaching staff for the 2022/23 season, reports Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston (Twitter link). Both Hornacek and Weaver were hired as part of Stephen Silas‘ initial group of assistants in the fall of 2020.
- According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, “early intel” points to the Rockets hanging onto the No. 17 pick, even though it’s their second first-round pick this year and their sixth in the last two years. However, Iko expects that selection to draw interest from rival teams.
- Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Josh Christopher were among the players in attendance last week when the Rockets held an informal workout at their facility, only about a month after their season ended, Iko writes in the same story.
I still think Rockets next playoffs is 2027
Two years ago Rockets owner believed that they can make playoffs in 2023
How many years had Suns missed the playoffs?
Rockets are targeting Banchero, nba comparison J Randle
Hornacek should take Clippers or Warriors asst coach two years ago
It’s earlier to get head coaching interview
Hornacek is failure in Houston
Banchero is not like Randle at all, what a horrific take.
Unless Jabari or Paolo fall to them Houston should definitely take Mathurin at 3. Fits their young core perfectly… unlike Chet or Ivey. Houston is the worst rebounding & the worst defensive team in the league. Trading Wood & giving major minutes to Chet would make them much worse at both of those things for at least the next couple seasons. Keeping Wood & trading Sengun would be a bad move too. Sengun has as much or more game offensively than Chet. Houston should definitely keep Sengun. Chet could be great but he won’t help them anytime soon. Ivey is best with the ball in his hands as a lead guard/initiator of offense. Having KPJ, Jalen & Ivey would be a bit much as far as young ball dominant guards that know they need to put up #s to cash in with that 2nd contract. Ivey can def play off the ball but that’s not what’s gonna make him a star in the league & he knows it. Either he, KPJ, Jalen or all 3 would be disgruntled soon, esp as the losses pile up… Mathurin on the other hand fits their young core extremely well. He’d be their best wing scorer (give or take EJ Gordon) & he’s also a great defender & would help remind HTown fans of the Phi Slamma Jamma days with the dunks that he, Jalen, KPJ, KJ Martin & JChristopher throw down all season long
They are not considering Ivey; The Clay Allen and Rafael Stones quotes both indicate that.
IDKY you think Holmgren would Not help the defense or why a delay of a couple years would bother them anyway, if that was needed. The similar Porzingis was effective quickly.
Porzingis had an immediate impact but nobody should expect Chet to be as ready as KP was. KP had played 2+yrs in the Spanish league before coming to the NBA. Chet is gonna get abused next season similar to how Sengun got abused this season. Houston needs toughness, physical strength & guys that demand respect in the paint to rebound, to defend the rim & also to protect their young guards. Chet & Sengun can’t do that. CWood not even particularly good at that (tho he is streets ahead of Sengun & Chet). Houston needs to add a big like DFavors or Drummond. Their top3 pick would be much better used on Mathurin… Houston has sucked for 2yrs now & its about time to start competing. Especially defensively they gotta improve from the league worst defense they had
Why would the rockets take mathurin over any of those 3 or ivey. They need a big and they could trade kpj who’s not even a true pg. Mathruin isn’t seen as top 3 or 5 lmao.
Take 1 of Smith Banchero or Holmgren.
Smith is the best in terms of fit with Green. Another good all round player at the 4 spot. Means Sengun and Wood move to the 5 full time.
Banchero can play SF or PF, I think he will transition to a ball handling SF. He would be a good fit with Green and help give him better looks and more space.
Chet, is probably the guy with the most potential. At the 5 spot he can shoot it from outside, can bring the ball up, has a good handle, he can do it all really but is very thin which brings concerns. He also rebounds really well and blocks shots which is rare from a unicorn type big.
Holmgren will be there at 3. But will Rockets pull the trigger. Rockets should test waters on the #2 pick. Thunder are only team that can wait out Holmgren with good results imo. Rockets get either Smith or Banchero( it will be Banchero at 2). He and Green are two strong foundations for a contender. Both about same age too. Imo having a great big and a great guard. Makes for best team chemistry and team building around them.
This is the smart move. Then I move Wood for sure.,
At 3 you can’t take Ivey, you have Green. But someone could pay well to get Ivey. I do believe Rockets could move the pick. Once Smith and Banchero are off the board. To me Ivey fits well in Detroit or Sacramento. I see the draft getting wild at pick #3.
What will Rockets do ????