Why the Houston Rockets Should Not Trade the No. 3 Pick

The Houston Rockets are listing their pros and cons when it comes to deciding what to do with the No. 3 overall pick.

General manager Rafael Stone has publicly mentioned the benefits of trading and keeping the pick, but the Rockets should just use it to land another top rookie.

The Rockets are loaded with top-tier talent, selecting nine first-round picks in the last three drafts. Although only six of those players are still on the roster because others haven’t been able to develop, the Rockets should still consider signing another rookie.

Any rookie who joins the Rockets this summer will struggle to find playing time. The rotation is loaded and the Rockets don’t expect much movement this summer in hopes that their young core will take the next step together.

Even though this is a weaker draft class than in previous years, the Rockets will still have someone who is considered one of the best players to come out of the draft if they keep the No. 3 pick in the General classification.

There may not be a perfect solution for the Rockets, but a player like Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard would help Houston’s 3-point woes, a big man like UConn’s Donovan Clingan or France’s Alex Sarr would bolster the defense of the team in the frontcourt alongside Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets can pick anyone in the draft class of their choice except for two players, and very few teams enjoy that privilege, especially a team coming off a 41-41 campaign.

The Rockets should definitely listen to the trade calls, but if they aren’t blown away by an offer, they should take a better prospect and move on.

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