Houston Rockets look to keep options open with No. 3 overall pick on opening day of 2024 NBA Draft on ABC13

BROOKLYN, New York (KTRK) — The 2024 NBA Draft begins Wednesday night and the Houston Rockets continue to weigh their draft options.

The Rockets currently own the No. 3 and No. 44 picks in this year’s draft.

In last year’s draft, the Rockets added combo guard Amen Thompson with the No. 4 pick and high-flying forward Cam Whitmore with the 20th pick.

Rockets options with pick No. 3

In many mock draft boards by various NBA experts, Kentucky product Reed Sheppard is the favored prospect that Houston could target. Sheppard, 19, is considered the best sharpshooter in the 2024 draft class. The former Kentucky guard shot an incredible 52.1% from three-point range and averaged 12.5 points per game with 53.6% field goals in his first year with the Kentucky Wildcats.

Another draft prospect the Rockets could consider is UConn center Donovan Clingan. The 7-foot-2 man played a pivotal role in the Huskies’ run to win back-to-back NCAA championships. If the Rockets select Clingan at No. 3, the move would pair a frontcourt partner with 21-year-old Alperen Sengun. Not to mention, the team has a veteran center in Steven Adams, who has valuable playoff experience that can help mentor the UConn product.

Trade for an All-Star player or veteran

Although Houston has a lottery pick in this year’s draft, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone could purchase the pick if the right deal closes. Perhaps the Rockets could offer a trade package with the No. 3 pick for a veteran or star to bolster the team’s playoff hopes next season.

The Rockets can also go big game hunting, as the team has its eyes on 14-time All-Star forward Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns on its radar. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets own a trade of 2025 and 2027 picks with the Suns, as well as the 2029 pick.

Not to mention, Houston could shift gears and bundle a slew of its picks and young players for four-time All-Star Devin Booker, who fits Houston’s schedule at just 27 years old, if the Suns decide to reshuffle their roster after a disappointing first-round exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.

Whether the Rockets acquire an All-Star or veteran caliber player to their roster via trade or keep their pick at No. 3, H-Town will look to improve the makeup of its current core on Wednesday night.

Overall, Houston aspires to take the next step in its rebuilding phase under head coach Ime Udoka after his first season.

In the 2023-24 NBA season, the Rockets finished with a 41-41 overall record and were 11th in the loaded Western Conference.

You can watch all coverage of the 2024 NBA Draft live on ABC13 at 7 p.m.