3 Top Returning Targets for the Houston Rockets in the 2024 NBA Draft

It’s finally NBA draft day. The Houston Rockets hold the third overall selection, thanks to the Brooklyn Nets. What they do with this selection will be intriguing, considering they’ve already become active before draft day.

By giving the Nets back control of their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks, they received some draft capital from the Phoenix Suns. What is the intention behind the Rockets making this deal? They want to target Suns superstars Kevin Durant, or maybe even Devin Booker.

A blockbuster deal could be in the works, and it could be soon, given that the No. 3 overall selection could be a significant bargaining chip. If the Rockets fail to find a superstar, they could be in the market to move back into the first round of the draft.

The Rockets’ two potential picks with the No. 3 pick would be Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard or UConn’s Donovan Clingan. Interest in the UConn center is strong, and the Rockets could exploit that interest and look to maximize value while trading up in the draft.

Some trade suitors could be the Charlotte Hornets, who own the No. 6 pick, or the Portland Trail Blazers with the No. 7 pick. Either way, Houston can stay in the lottery while trading and adding more talent.

By trading with the Hornets, the Rockets might be able to get center Mark Williams and the No. 6 pick. With the Trail Blazers as a trade partner, they could add shooting by bringing in Malcolm Brogdon and adding the No. 7 pick.

Later in the lottery, who are the few draft targets for the Rockets? If they add shooting at the guard position or size at the center position via a trade, there remains an area for improvement. The same archetype they are looking for at the wing position, even via trade – a winger who can score.

Dalton Knecht is a name that makes sense. A trade and addition of talent means the team is ready to win now and wants to take one step closer to that. Knecht is an older prospect, having played five seasons of college basketball, while also being an incredible shooter.

Another later lottery name to consider is Cody Williams, a big forward with elite potential. Once considered the top prospect in the class, Williams could fit the mold as a strong two-way player as the Rockets look to continue establishing an identity, of which defense seems like an easy direction to follow.

Finally, Ron Holland, given that he later fails the lottery, is another prospect to look at. Like Williams, Holland was once considered the top prospect in the class. His defense also projects to be elite and given the Rockets’ current strengths, they can build on that and build a solid defense and add to it in the draft.

The trade could allow the Rockets to claw their way into the playoffs while selecting a player who fits the team’s short- and long-term plans.

Now, each of these three picks means something else to the team. They would not be short-sighted towards general manager Rafael Stone. The Rockets are reportedly looking at an identity that would force a roster shakeup. With two of the aforementioned players – Williams and Holland – trading Alperen Sengun seems like the best move because he simply doesn’t fit the defensive mold. Trading for Mark Williams and landing one of these two via the draft allows the team to upgrade and play a defensive style moving on from Sengun.

READ MORE: 3 Top Draft Targets For Rockets With Third Pick In 2024 NBA Draft

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