The one asset the Houston Rockets can’t afford to trade

The Houston Rockets finished .500 in 2023-24. They have the third overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft anyway.

Thank you, Brooklyn Nets.

This is a unique situation. A team as competitive as the Rockets is not expected to land a high pick in the lottery. For some, the transfer of this asset thanks to the James Harden trade justifies the agreement.

Still, that might not be the biggest prize they get for Harden. This class is considered weak. If the Nets return to the lottery after 2024-25, the Rockets could end up with a terribly big fish without doing the work to catch it.

Yes, we’re talking about Cooper Flagg.

Who is Flagg? Well, he’s a 6’9″ winger with remarkable athleticism. Flagg profiles as an elite two-way winger.

Flagg is no slouch on the offensive end either. He’s a tough enough ball handler to take advantage of his size, length and athleticism to create offense in the half court.

Is it Victor Wembanyama? No, no one is Victor Wembanyama. Still, Flagg is a special prospect. He probably ranks somewhere between Zion Williamson and Cade Cunningham as a prospect. All eyes will be on Duke’s commitment when college basketball resumes.

At the same time, there are also other players to watch.

What about Flagg’s future teammate, Khaman Maluach?

Granted, Maluach doesn’t have the offensive polish of Flagg (although he has shown some ability to space the floor). However, its defensive potential is enticing. Maluach stands 7’2″ with a wingspan of 7’5″ and a standing reach of 9’8″. He also has relatively quick feet which should make him the rare big man capable of guarding the interior and perimeter.

You don’t like his place alongside Alperen Sengun? It is very good. Maluach is currently not considered a top-three prospect in this class. After Flagg, Ace Bailey is considered the top prize.

Like Flagg, Bailey is a 6’9″ wing with high-level athleticism. He may be a more impressive athlete, although he has yet to demonstrate Flagg’s defensive acumen.

Outside of Flagg, Maluach and Bailey, prospects like Dylan Harper and Hugo Gonzalez would each have a chance to be picked first in the 2024 draft.

Do you see where we are going with this?

We hear your reservations.

How much additional time should the Rockets spend developing young players? Isn’t it time to invest in the core they have? In addition, this Nets choice defied all odds by entering the lottery. This is unlikely to happen again.

For starters – no, the Rockets aren’t done developing young players if they want to have better young players. At the very least, Flagg or Bailey would immediately be considered the Rockets’ hottest prospects.

Discretion is the better part of valor. The Rockets shouldn’t make a firm commitment to the players they have until they see if they have an opportunity to sign a more exciting young player.

Let’s assume they trade the 2025 pick for Mikal Bridges. Now suppose this choice comes first or second. The Rockets will have traded the draft rights to Flagg or Bailey — and more — for Mikal Bridges.

On this point, we don’t know if the Nets will suffer in 2024-25. Who knows? They could trade for Donovan Mitchell this summer and destroy our hopes and dreams.

Alternatively, they could trade bridges to the Knicks for draft capital. The Nets could take a “gap year” of sorts in 2024-25 and maximize the Rockets’ chances of landing another top prospect.

More broadly, can’t the Rockets wait another year? They won’t win an NBA title next year whether they trade or keep this pick. They are likely to be competitive thanks to their internal development, even if they do not make a single acquisition.

Next summer, they could field a team above 500 with the possibility of signing their future franchise player.