Houston Rockets land third pick in 2024 NBA Draft

HOUSTON (KIAH) — The Houston Rockets will go third in the 2024 NBA Draft, giving the team a chance to build on a core of talented young players.

The Rockets moved up from the No. 3 pick to the No. 9 pick, giving head coach Ime Udoka a chance to add more talent to a team that went 41-41 and missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

“Pleasant surprise when you progress like we did,” he said. “I feel like there are a lot of qualified candidates.”

The Atlanta Hawks have won the first overall pick for the first time in franchise history. Washington, Houston, San Antonio and Detroit round out the top five. The draft will take place June 26-27 in Brooklyn.

In some simulations, the Rockets take Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham at No. 3. Dillingham, a point guard, was voted the SEC’s sixth-best man after averaging 15.2 and 3.9 assists.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.