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4 Potential Houston Rockets Draft Targets

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Duke center Khaman Maluach, Houston Rockets draft prospect

The Houston Rockets will have the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Yet, they’re looking to take advantage of their momentum after reaching the playoffs this season. As a result, there’s no assurances that they’ll hold onto the pick.

They could offer the 10th overall pick for a veteran talent. In fact, the Rockets are currently linked to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Alternately, Houston could even move back in the draft to add assets, with teams like the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks potential trade partners.

4 Potential Houston Rockets Draft Targets

If the Rockets do make a selection (and keep it), one of these four prospects could be the name that’s called.

Khaman Maluach

If Houston has to replace free agent center Steven Adams, Duke center Khaman Maluach’s tools should catch their eye. At the NBA Draft Combine, the South Sudan native came in at 7-foot-1 (with a 7-foot-7 wingspan and 9-foot-6 standing reach) and 253 pounds. Notably, Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey was Maluach’s head coach in the Paris Olympics.

From his time in the Basketball Africa League to his one-and-done season at Duke, Maluach has flashed scoring upside. More importantly, he’s a watchtower on defense. His length and shot-blocking skills complement Alperen Şengün’s improved but perhaps unreliable rim-protection.

Thomas Sorber

In keeping with the theme of replacing Adams, the Rockets should also take a long look at Georgetown freshman Thomas Sorber. In fact, Sorber is arguably the best center in his draft class. Indeed, his only glaring weakness an inconsistent 3-ball that could become a real weapon with more work.

At 6-foot-9 (with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and 9-foot-1 standing reach) and 263 pounds, he’s more wide than long. Nevertheless, he’s a skilled scorer with playmaking upside at the offensive end. He’s a very capable rim-protector at the other, but also able to guard out in space.

Nique Clifford

Colorado State super senior Nique Clifford wouldn’t be the typical top-10 pick if selected by the Rockets because he’ll be 23 years old at the time of the draft. However, it’s not too out of the ordinary. Ochai Agbaji (14th overall; 2022) and Zach Edey (9th overall; 2024) are two recent lottery picks who were at least 22 years old the day of the draft.

In fact, Clifford makes sense for Houston because they want to blend youth with experience. Furthermore, at 6-foot-5 (with a 6-foot-8 wingspan), he’s also a multi-faceted wing. The Swiss Army Knife is a match for what the Rockets are looking for in general. His footwork, instincts and touch all suggest that he could be a real scoring threat too.

Cedric Coward

If there’s any wing in this draft class that should make Jalen Green sweat besides Texas freshman Tre Johnson, it’s Washington State/Duke junior Cedric Coward. With that in mind, the Rockets could be out of Johnson’s draft. However, they likely won’t be out of Coward’s, though he’s already rising up boards.

An efficient 3-point shooter with innate passing ability and exceptional length (6-foot-5 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan), Coward is essentially a more refined version of Green. Less of a quick-twitch athlete but still explosive. He’s also less likely to go cold from beyond the arc but more likely to get to the free-throw line.

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