The Rockets have UConn center Donovan Clingan and Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard at the top of their board heading into next week’s draft, league sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Houston controls the No. 3 overall pick.
According to Iko, Clingan seems to have the edge over Sheppard, but it’s not a sure thing the 7’2″ big man will be available with the third pick. ESPN recently reported that while Zaccharie Risacher remains the favorite to go No. 1 to the Hawks, Atlanta is also high on Clingan, who may be Risacher’s top competition. Ken Seguira of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has also heard the Hawks are high on Clingan.
The Rockets already have Alperen Sengun at center and he shares an agent with Clingan, Iko writes. Those factors — plus the trade deadline addition of Steven Adams — would seemingly work against Houston selecting Clingan, and the team has been unable to get him in for a private workout to this point. Sheppard, meanwhile, will visit the Rockets this week, sources tell Iko.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman recently suggested Houston might not have much leverage if they decide to trade the No. 3 selection due to a perception that there’s a minimal difference in value between that pick and those later in the lottery. However, Iko has heard differently, writing that there’s “rapidly growing interest” from rival teams in Clingan and Sheppard. Those teams may also be motivated to move up ahead of the Spurs, who control the Nos. 4 and 8 picks.
While several teams have shown interest in the third pick, team and league sources tell Iko the Hornets, Grizzlies and Trail Blazers have been “the most vocal” in their pursuit of the selection, with Memphis and Charlotte particularly “aggressive.”
Iko hears all three clubs are fans of both Clingan and Sheppard. The Hornets control the 6th and 42nd overall picks; the Grizzlies control Nos. 9, 39 and 57; and the Blazers control Nos. 7, 14, 34 and 40.
Here are some more Rockets rumors, all from Iko:
- In an ideal situation, Houston would prefer to use the No. 3 pick as part of a package to acquire a star player like Donovan Mitchell, but there hasn’t been much league-wide “activity or movement” when it comes to stars this offseason, according to Iko. The Pelicans are rumored to have floated a proposal of Brandon Ingram for Sengun, but Houston has “no interest” in that deal, team sources tell Iko. Iko also hears New Orleans discussed Ingram with the Sixers.
- If the Rockets can’t land a star and still decide to move the third pick, Iko wonders if a Grizzlies offer centered around Marcus Smart and the ninth pick could make sense for both sides. According to Iko’s sources, GM Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka are fans of Smart, who played under Udoka in Boston. In a move-back scenario, Houston might be interested in selecting Tennesee forward Dalton Knecht, says Iko.
- Houston also controls a second-round pick (No. 44) in the upcoming draft. San Francisco’s Jonathan Mogbo, Minnesota’s Cam Christie, Illinois’ Terrence Shannon, Colorado’s KJ Simpson, UCLA’s Adem Bona and Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro are among the prospects who have been discussed at that spot, though Iko acknowledges some of those players might get drafted before then. Clemson forward/center PJ Hall, Texas forward Dylan Disu, St. John’s guard Daniss Jenkins and Washington State forward Jaylen Wells are among the players who will work out for Houston this week, Iko reports.
- For free agency, Iko hears the Rockets have placed a high priority on adding shooting, but the team is only interested in two-way contributors — Alec Burks, Gary Harris, Talen Horton-Tucker and Saddiq Bey are names to watch. Bey, however, will be a restricted free agent if he’s given a qualifying offer, which complicates matters (he’s also recovering from a torn ACL). A source close to Eric Gordon tells Iko that the veteran guard is “50-50” on exercising his player option to remain with the Suns, but the longtime former Rocket is also open to a reunion with Houston. The Rockets will have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to dangle in free agency, Iko notes.
Gary Payton II for Steven Adams who says no?
Rockets get Smart, #9 and a future pick
Grizzlies get 3 and salary filler
Rockets should take this trade imo
You think so there doctor? Solid analysis.
someone pull the plug on this bot
Ingram has little trade value to the owners who does not plan to pay luxury tax
Rockets don’t want Ingram because he wants overpaid contract
Shepherd to me is more Kerr than Curry. He will have trouble in NBA. Great shooter but not athletic enough. He will need to learn to use picks. Needs a better handle. Not a top 10 player to me.
Rockets first ——- Should be trading up for Sarr. Clingan is a nice player. But they could trade down for him. But I get it if they draft him.
If they keep pick. They should draft Knecht. Then trade for a Center. Or sign one in FA.
Finally someone else thinks this. I have him going to OKC at 12. He looks like Matt Maloney 2.0 to me. Biggest bust material
Remember, Curry didn’t have the handles he has today coming out of college and was even questioned about him playing PG – folks thought he was a SG, and too small for that role. His shooting was unquestioned and was drafted for that ability with the hope he can develop into a PG. His handles speeds up and slows down the game at his desired pace.
Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and the 9th pick for Ingram.
Memphis then trades GG Jackson and a salary filler for a starting C
Crazy but trade Jalen Green and let this be Senguns team.
I love Amen Thompson as the point guard, even if he can’t shoot, hes a terrific defender and athlete. High IQ, great passer and I think ideal as a the sidekick to Sengun.
At 3 take Reed Shepard to give you that shooting ability you’re missing.
Then Jalen Green for Trey Murphy
For now
FVV Sheppard Brooks Jabari Sengun
Amen Whitmore Trey Green Adams
Long term wise
Amen Sheppard Trey Jabari Sengun with Whitmore the spark plug off the bench
Compare what this team could be to Denver who won the chip last season.
You’ve got baby Jokic in Sengun. Reaching for sure but he’s the closest thing we have to Jokic.
Jamal Murray the point guard that doesn’t really facilitate more of a moderate volume shooter, Reed Sheppard is almost like for like.
Aaron Gordon, freakishly athletic plays great off Jokic. Amen Thompson just as athletic, excellent defender and plays off Reed and Sengun.
MPJ the sniper and third option, Trey Murphy and Cam Whitmore, really good shooters and scorers on the wing.
KCP the glue guy role player that gives them what they need to make it work. Jabari does the same thing, adds size and rebounding ability, but also can shoot, finish inside and defend.
Udoka is a terrific coach, Big Steve, Jeff Green they have the locker room vets to shape this team. If anything I’d be listening to offers on Dillion Brooks, hopefully get first round pick for him in a salary dump to open up more minutes for the wings they have in Houston.