BROOKLYN, New York (KTRK) — The 2024 NBA Draft begins Wednesday night, and the Houston Rockets continue to weigh in 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 No. 3 pick
In many mock draft boards by various NBA pundits, Kentucky product Reed Sheppard is the favored draft prospect that Houston could target. Sheppard, 19, is viewed as the best marksman 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% in field goals in his freshman year with the Kentucky Wildcats.
Another draft prospect the Rockets could look at is UConn center Donovan Clingan. The 7-foot-2-inch man played a pivotal role in the Huskies’ run to capture back-to-back NCAA championships. If the Rockets pick 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 or veteran player
Despite Houston having a lottery pick in this year’s draft, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone could shop the pick if the right deal swings in. Perhaps, the Rockets can swing a trade package with the No. 3 pick for a veteran or star to bolster the team’s postseason hopes next season.
The Rockets can also go big game hunting as the team has eyes on 14-time All-Star forward Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns on their radar. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets own a 2025 and 2027 pick swap with the Suns, as well as the 2029 pick.
Not to mention, Houston could shift gears and package a multitude of their picks and young players for 4-time All-Star Devin Booker, who fits with Houston’s timeline at just 27 years old, if the Suns decide to shake up their roster after a disappointing first-round exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.
Whether the Rockets acquire an All-Star-caliber or veteran player to their roster via trade or keep their pick at No. 3, H-Town will look to improve the makeup of their current core on Wednesday night.
All in all, Houston aspires to take the next leap in its rebuilding phase under the helm of head coach Ime Udoka after his first season.
In the 2023-24 NBA season, the Rockets finished with a 41-41 overall record and finished 11th in the loaded Western Conference.
You can catch all the coverage for the 2024 NBA Draft live on ABC13 at 7 p.m.
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