Keep or exchange? Rafael Stone excited about Houston’s possibilities

Known for his strategic thinking, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone found himself in an unfamiliar position Sunday following the 2024 NBA Draft. The annual event determines where teams will choose in the next first round, which this year will take place on June 26.

Over the past three years, the Stones have drafted players out of necessity in Houston’s rebuilding phase, sparked after the departure of James Harden. So when the Rockets surprisingly secured the No. 3 overall pick in 2024, Stone found himself faced with a strategic dilemma: keep the pick or trade him in a package for a veteran player or future assets. This move could shape the future of the team.

With the young core of rotation players existing in Houston, it may seem unlikely that they would add another young player who would compete for minutes. However, this is not necessarily the case.

“The possibility of adding another talented young player in the draft or through a trade, we’re excited about that possibility,” Stone said in a post-lottery press conference. He had just arrived at the draft in Chicago after spotting prospects in France in recent days.

It seemed an unlikely scenario after the emergence of players such as Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, who played key roles as rookies in helping the Rockets go 41-41 last season. Add in the progress made by shooting guard Jalen Green and center Alperen Sengun in their third seasons — and the promise shown by second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. — and Houston has the model to be a special team.

“The guys we have in the locker room today, we’re excited to bring them back,” Stone said during his end-of-season news conference last month. “We’ll look at things, but, again, I don’t look at our list as, ‘We’re missing X, we’ve got to go find him.’ It’s not like we have a gaping hole.

Many college and NBA analysts believe this incoming draft class is weaker than most years. The consensus is that many top 10 players in this class are considered exceptional players rather than superstars. If Houston decides to keep the pick, it could help them in the future by allowing their selection to play with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ G League affiliate.

“I think last year’s draft was different than we’ve seen in a while, just because there was so much attention focused on one guy (Victor Wembanyama),» » said Pierre. “That wasn’t the case in the previous two drafts, and I don’t think it will be the case this year.”