The Rockets will listen to trade offers for their No. 4 pick and they expect a lot of interest around the league, writes Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Houston is hoping for a turnaround next season after spending three straight years in the league’s bottom three, and Iko indicates that the Rockets’ front office would have considered dealing the pick with any lottery outcome short of landing No. 1 and the chance to draft Victor Wembanyama.
“We’ve been looking at this draft for three years,” general manager Rafael Stone said after the lottery results were announced. “This is a really good draft. Very confident that there are uber-talented players that will be available.”
General counsel Clay Allen, who represented the team in the lottery room for the third straight year, admitted being more nervous this time because a potential franchise player like Wembanyama was at stake. According to Iko, Allen mostly sat in silence after the results were official and he realized that the French big man had gone to the division-rival Spurs.
“Severe disappointment,” Allen said. “This is my third year here. We’ve gotten the second and third picks in the past. I was really hoping we were going to be No. 1. … You can’t affect this at all, but you don’t want to let people down.”
There’s more on the Rockets:
- Overtime Elite star Amen Thompson is aware that he’s listed fourth in many mock drafts, and he told Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle that he would be excited to come to Houston if that’s how the draft plays out. Thompson has a meeting scheduled with the Rockets at the NBA Draft Combine on Thursday after holding sessions with the Magic and Trail Blazers on Wednesday. He listed several aspects of his game that he believes can help a team right away. “Getting to the cup, getting in the paint, facilitating, defense — that’s already ready,” Thompson said. “The shot’s going to come. Everything’s going to come. I’m not a finished product yet.”
- Kevin Porter Jr. spoke to players at the combine on Wednesday at the invitation of the NBPA, Feigen adds in another Chronicle story. Porter also sat with Stone and new Rockets coach Ime Udoka as they watched one of the scrimmages.
- In a separate piece, Feigen examines the risks and rewards of a potential reunion with James Harden. A report earlier today stated that Harden will turn down his $35.6MM player option for next season in hopes of signing a long-term contract.
As a Rockets fan I have a nightmare. It’s getting a non top 3 pick and Harden for the off-season. NBA purgatory here we come.
They’ll be alright as long as they add Westbrook with Harden
Stone Ranger, no Rockets fan wants to flop, free throw jackathree back in town.
Rockets aren’t going anywhere. They are FOOLS to pass on Amen. And even BiGGeR FOOLS to bring back Harden. Their best players are 20 and 21 yrs old. Amen is a player that will help his team next yr. Doesn’t need the ball to be effective. Big time athleticism. He’s better than Harden right now.
Moreyon isn’t letting Harden walk. It would be a sign n trade. Why would you pay this Harden. Why ???? Foolish ……
Firstly, I agree passing on Amen would be stupid. Secondly, (although it’s the last thing I want to see.) Houston could easily draft amen #4 and take harden without Morey having any say in it and losing nothing in assets.
They have to cap to sign him outright so 76ers will get nothing if he joins H-Town. But again most are begging for Philly to offer him everything to stay!! Just steer clear try to trade up for Scoot or take Amen and get some vets in FA
I can fix the rocket’s easy just two trades really
It’s a mediocre draft after the first 3 guys. There will always be interest in #4, in any draft. But not like there will be for #2 and #3. Funny that a FO that mindlessly added 7 FRPs to the roster the past 2 seasons finally comes to the realization that veteran players are needed for a rebuild, and their choices start with Harden.
Lol, whatever. This draft is like 9 deep.
I like this draft. Think lottery is loaded..Jackson from S Carolina a PF going outside 10. Hendricks Central Florida a PF should go to top 10. Is a solid prospect. There are also Centers going late. That can help teams who need bigs. Definitely top three could be major.
Curious. What are your feelings towards Zach Edey? If I’m an NBA GM I would be tempted to take him in the late 1st or 2nd round. Knicks maybe not because they have a good back up in Hartenstein but he only has 1 year left and Edey would be a lot cheaper.
Yes 2nd round
If you’re a GM and you use any draft pick on Zach Edey, you’re getting fired right there on the spot.. he has zero nba level skills and he’s nowhere the prospect level of Tacko Fall
I’ve watched and read some things. He still has a yr in college. I don’t believe he’s declared yet. I believe he has an NBA future. He started playing late. So he still has big upside. Needs to learn to use his size and strength more. Cause he can push people around. He’s got soft hands for a big guy. Which is always a good sign. Needs two yrs in G-league. And can develop to at least a backup. Must go to a team that will work with him. I’ve seen the bios on him. Seems like a good kid who wants to learn and get better. Could go late 2nd rd. He’s not ready for NBA yet. I believe he has enough athleticism. The guy is still getting used to his body. Grew late. He could pay dividends in 3-4 yrs with hard work.
Edey declared a month ago or so. He’s not an NBA talent, though. His lack of athleticism will cause him to get eaten up by quicker, smaller bigs when playing defense. On offense, his game is so one dimensional and with his lack of handle and quickness, he’ll have to kick the ball out whenever there is help D. I don’t think he’s worth a flier until pick 45 or later.
@Tacocat – Not sure what your point is. Every draft (even mediocre ones top to bottom, which this one isn’t) has multiple tiers and quality prospects within each. There are only 3 prospects in this draft that would be worth a high end young veteran, which is what HOU would be (or at least should be) looking for if they made a trade. You’re free to believe otherwise, but hopefully it’s not because of sell side analysis.
I sincerely hope we DO NOT GET Harden. I saw the article and he wants to be with a team that can take him to playoffs. So hopefully stays in Philly. He could be with Morey and DAntoni again. I hope we get scoot at number 2 or get Amen. Guess have more love for Poppy since he still not calling it quits. They could be unbeatable with him since did not want to be here in Houston anyways so perhaps got lucky. But wonder what price will be to move up. What could Scoot bring and Amen if do not move. Guess we will see come late June when draft is.
Rockets would be better off giving Porter a 4 year max extension than give Harden anything more than a 1 game retirement ceremony…
Harden. No thank you.
I am so baffled by Houston having any interest at all in James Harden.
The guy forced his way out of Houston a couple of years ago, then sulked in his short time with Brooklyn and laid an egg in Philly. He’s never proven to be a good teammate, and he’s far too ball dominant for a guy his age, condition and diminishing skills.
If Houston wants to take a leap forward next year, take Amen, use their #20 pick, consolidate it with another future first and a younger player to move up the draft or bring in another core piece, and then add vets to help the young team grow. Not Harden vets, guys like Thad Young or Tory Craig, high character vets who will contribute more in practice and the locker room than in games. Those type of guys don’t take minutes away from KPJ and Jalen, Harden would.
This Harden to Houston nonsense is kinda funny. Why would Houston burn their cap space? They owe their 1st round pick to OKC for the next 3 years. It wouldn’t make sense to just become a late lottery team. If they are going to use their cap space you would think they’d try to get someone younger OR use their cap space to reacquire assets.
OKC is going to hire a hit man to take out a player or two on Houston to lock in those picks for the upcoming years.
Rockets fans who don’t want Harden can rest easily, 1) I’m fairly certain this was the Morey plan all along. Telling Harden to sacrifice $ in 2022-23, the firing Doc(which Morey would have done prior to the season if ownership didn’t shut it down- Harden & Doc don’t like one another, so he was fired the second Morey had the chance. Harden will sign a 4 year deal to stay in Philly, bc if he walks, the team only gets a 12M exception to replace him. Macey will become more elite next year, but the 7yers need to unload Tobias’ $ 39M for the season and find a few players to balance the year better.
2nd- Why would Harden be wanted by Houston? They have Jalen Green , Jabari Smith Jr., K martin Jr!., Senguen? And a team in youth movement, it makes no for any party!!
Clay Allen is clearly BAD LUCK.
Not only should he be nowhere near the site of the Lottery, he should be kept out of the country.