The pros and cons of the Houston Rockets selecting Stephon Castle

When it comes to the NBA Draft, “in shape” can be a nebulous concept.

This means several things. Does a player match the players currently on the roster? Do they fit with the broader philosophy of the team? What about the team culture?

Still, some would reject this concept when a team has a high pick. They would say you should always draft the best player available. Even this notion is fraught with ambiguity. Is the best player available the one with the most potential or the one who has been the most productive to date?

The Houston Rockets will have to answer these questions with the third overall pick. Recently, they were asked by CBS Sports to select UConn guard Stephon Castle.

Is this the right decision?

Castle certainly fits the Rockets team philosophy.

He is a fierce defender. At 6’6″, Castle is a big guard who can pass to the wings and remain effective. He should be able to guard 1-3 at the NBA level, and he will also be able to handle smaller 4s.

Castle is also more than just a defensive specialist. He showed some ability to lead an offense – more on that later. Castle averaged 4.9 assists and 2.5 turnovers per 75 possessions last season. This doesn’t necessarily indicate an elite playmaker, but Castle is a solid passer.

He is also a good finisher. Castle shot 54.4 percent on two-point attempts last year. His 26.7% accuracy from three is unfortunate, but he’s not as far from being a jump shooter as, say, Amen Thompson.

Did someone say Amen Thompson?

How many non-shooting guards can the Rockets draft?

Castle may be more advanced as a shooter than Thompson, but he’s still a weak shooter. Given that Thompson is a superior athlete and passer, the Rockets might be wise to just invest in the guy they already have.

If Castle’s star potential were undeniable, we’d be singing a different tune. Leaving a clear star on the board to write the adjustment can be a fatal mistake. However, Castle doesn’t have that type of potential. He’s a good young player who should have a solid NBA career, but if his shot doesn’t develop, he probably doesn’t have the skills to compensate as a primary ball handler.

In short, Castle could be Dejounte Murray if his defense didn’t regress – but he could be Tony Allen with a few inches of height. He’s a good player, but Thompson has the potential to become something special.

Alperen Sengun too. If the Rockets want to rely on him as an offensive engine, they eventually need to surround him with shooting. Even Jalen Green will need a properly spaced floor if he ever wants to make a permanent star jump.

Have you figured out where we are on Castle yet?

Reed Sheppard and his 52.1% three-point accuracy are here.

Yes, basketball is about more than just shooting. Still, there’s no denying that three-point accuracy has a correlation to star power in the modern NBA. Sheppard isn’t strictly the best choice for Houston — in our estimation, he’s a better prospect.

The Rockets are developing a defensive identity. Castle would fit this identity. Still, it’s hard to imagine a formation of this attack that helps Castle. This team has enough players who need the ball, and not enough players who space the field.

There is nothing nebulous about it.