Houston Rockets Draft Notebook 2.0: big debates, domino effect and more

In less than a week, we will know the fate of 58 draft prospects.

The teams are in the final stages of preparation, after several players came to their respective facilities for workouts, interviews and additional research. The large boards are being finalized, if they are not already cemented. Between now and June 26, trade negotiations will intensify and debates will intensify.

For the Houston Rockets, the next few days are critical. The No. 3 pick is a topic of interest around the league and Houston, in a position where the playoffs are within reach after a 41-41 season, has some important decisions to make.

In the Notebook 2.0 Project, we’ll look at large tables that focus, the potential domino effect, and much more.

• As the days leading up to the June 26 draft approach, there is a growing sense among rival teams that the Rockets are in a uniquely strong position — a combination of possession of the No. 3 pick, his growing interest in league-wide and the potential domino effect across the rest of the lottery.

The assumption that a team holds leverage, especially in a class without a consensus No. 1 pick and with a franchise picking outside the top two, could be considered far-fetched. But recently, Rockets executives have been made aware of some aspects centered on the draft: the growing interest in Connecticut’s Donovan Clingan and Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard and the desire of rival teams to get ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, who hold the number 4 and Pick #8.

• Several teams have expressed a desire to move up to No. 3, but three teams, according to team and league sources, have been most vocal: Charlotte, Memphis and Portland. The Grizzlies and Hornets, in particular, have been quite aggressive in their hopes of acquiring the No. 3 pick, sources said.

As previously mentioned, interested parties are focusing on Clingan and Sheppard, with all three franchises having high marks on the pair of incoming rookies. Rival teams also have enough reason to believe that assuming there are no surprises, Clingan and Sheppard could be among the first four names called by commissioner Adam Silver. This, of course, is a gamble given that Perth’s Alex Sarr and JL Bourg’s Zaccharie Risacher in the top two are less sure than they might have been a few weeks ago with the Atlanta Hawks also linked in Clingan.

• This is quite different from the position Houston found itself in in the 2022 draft, where they were hoping to simply select those left out of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. The Rockets are set to draft at three but continue to express their openness. by moving the pickaxe. Ideally, Houston would move the pick in a trade that would land a star player — and they’ve continued to keep an eye on the league, making calls and floating offers — but the reality is that there simply isn’t a lot of activity or movement. the star market.

For example, Houston would like to add a player like Donovan Mitchell, but recent reports suggest the All-NBA guard will likely sign an extension to stay in Cleveland. In Notebook 1.0, New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram was mentioned as a player seen in a lower tier than Mitchell and in recent days, rumors have swirled that the Pelicans were tossing Ingram in trade talks and in an iteration , a hypothetical Ingram-for-Alperen Şengün trade has been discussed, but the Rockets have no interest, team sources said. League sources said New Orleans also contacted the Philadelphia 76ers regarding a possible Ingram trade.

• The third draft possibility involves the Rockets moving back and raising additional draft capital, large enough to justify Houston giving up its top-three selection. In this case, the Grizzlies are an interesting option. General manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka are both fans of veteran guard Marcus Smart, league sources said. Is there a chance Memphis could entice Houston by offering Smart, in addition to the No. 9 pick and future assets, to move up and grab Clingan if he’s not already gone? Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, who has fans within the Rockets organization, could be available if Houston were to back down.

Houston general manager Rafael Stone will be busy fielding calls for the No. 3 pick. (Troy Taormina / USA today)

• The most intriguing aspect of the Rockets’ preliminary planning isn’t so much what other teams are offering or expecting from them. Houston’s internal debate — especially this year in a wide-open draft — is compelling. Historically, the braintrust goes to great lengths to ensure a thorough process, a period that typically involves debates over the rankings of individual players before a large composite board is formed. Now, with Udoka’s presence a significant factor in decision-making, various league sources believe Houston’s big board planning involves three branches in addition to the other respected voices in the situation room :

1. The upside and position versatility angle, led by Stone.
2. The analytical angle, courtesy of assistant general manager Eli Witus.
3. Udoka’s defensive-oriented win-now angle.

There are a few prospects who theoretically fit into at least two of those three categories, but in recent days, Clingan and Sheppard have parted ways with Stephon Castle, Sarr and Risacher on Houston’s big board, sources said. of the league and the team. Clingan, the 20-year-old big man, is considered the current leader, considered the only player who fits all three categories.

• Sheppard will visit the Rockets by the end of the week, team sources said, but so far Houston has had some difficulty scheduling workouts with top prospects. For example, Clingan and Şengün share the same agent, and it is expected that one of the top prospects will be chosen to play. On the surface, minutes at center under Udoka appear thin with Şengün and Steven Adams on the roster – presenting a conflict of interest. Another example is Castle, who has stuck to his desired point guard position, which impacts the teams he chooses to visit.

• Houston’s draft buildup has also sparked debate around players in consideration for the 44th pick, with names like Jonathon Mogbo, Cam Christie, Terrence Shannon Jr., KJ Simpson, Adem Bona, Oso Ighodaro and more in discussion. However, a decent number of these names could end up in the latter part of the first round. This week, the Rockets will face Clemson’s PJ Hall, Texas’ Dylan Disu, St. John’s Daniss Jenkins, Washington State’s Jaylen Wells and others.

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• The Spurs, who recently drafted Castle and Devin Carter from Providence, have their eyes on acquiring a guard on draft night, league sources said. Carter, Castle and Sheppard are very interested, with Carter’s impressive private performance resonating with the Spurs brass.

• With free agency beginning 72 hours after the conclusion of the draft, the Rockets also began preparing offseason roster building plans. Shooting is considered paramount, but simply adding snipers who are unable to defend is not ideal. So, a player like Doug McDermott would not be a good fit for Udoka.

Two-way veterans like Alec Burks, Gary Harris, Talen Horton-Tucker and Saddiq Bey (among others) are interesting, but Bey’s restricted free agency makes things difficult. Free agent Eric Gordon is “50-50” on a return to Phoenix, according to a source close to the veteran guard, but is also interested in a reunion with the Rockets. Other interesting names, like Sacramento’s Malik Monk, are in line for a substantial salary, and the Rockets only have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12.8 million) to offer.

(Top photo of Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle of Connecticut: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)