Rockets’ draft plans revealed by longtime NBA insider

The Houston Rockets have done a masterful job of keeping everyone guessing as to what they will do with the third pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. That’s because the team doesn’t necessarily need this pick, in due to a stockpile of young talent it has gathered through the draft over the past three years.

For the Rockets, the pick is essentially just extra icing on the cake. And they don’t really need to add more young prospects, as it might be quite difficult to find minutes for everyone.

Not to mention the financial implications of paying everyone when they become eligible for the extension. There haven’t been many reports or rumors that the Rockets are close to dealing out the pick, which has prompted many to theorize who they could possibly draft when they’re on the clock.

NBC’s Kurt Helin revealed the Rockets’ thinking, including their plans with this pick.

“Houston has been actively trying to trade this pick since the minute the Draft Lottery ping-pong balls stopped bouncing. There remains serious interest in this pick from teams looking to draft center Donovan Clingan from UConn who can walk through the door tomorrow and give an NBA team solid backup minutes at center (his ceiling isn’t as high as other players, but in an unpredictable draft, Clingan is as close to a sure thing there).

Don’t bet on the Rockets using this draft pick, they want to win games and make the playoffs, not develop another young player.

If Houston ends up keeping this pick, Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard would be the Rockets’ guy. Sheppard is as good a shooter as anyone in the draft — 52.5 percent from 3 for the Wildcats — and he’s also been a disruptive force on defense, averaging 2.5 steals per game. If the Rockets don’t take him, Sheppard won’t fall far, teams know it’s better not to pass up a good shot. »

As Helin states, Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard was the expected pick for the Rockets at number three because he offers unlimited shooting, good defense and a tertiary playmaker.

Fortunately, all speculation will end soon, as the project begins just three days after this article was published, on Wednesday, June 26.

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