To pick… or not to pick…
After improving their season win total by double digits for the second consecutive season, finishing with the second best record in the West at 52-30, and establishing themselves as an elite defensive team with tons of upside, the Houston Rockets have been the subject of much trade speculation, as the national media seems to believe that the Rockets must make an off-season trade to enter their championship window immediately.
Monday’s NBA Draft Lottery results where the Rockets received the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft via the Phoenix Suns, has only added fuel to that fire. However, given the statements made by Rafael Stone and Ime Udoka, that building continuity is their most likely course of action, there is a real possibility that the Rockets keep Phoenix’s pick at number 10 and make a selection. Here are a few players that the Rockets have been mocked to take.
Kasparas Jakucionis (PG – Illinois)
For Rockets fans who watch this team closely, it may come as a surprise that several mock drafts, including the ESPN Mock Draft that dropped minutes after the lottery finished, have the Rockets selecting a point-guard in the first round for the second consecutive year. Jakucionis is a big guard at 6ft 6in with a 6ft 7in wingspan, weighing 205 lbs. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 0.9 steals for the Fighting Illini in 33 games played last season.
Jakucionis is a playmaking ballhandler, very comfortable and productive in the pick-and-roll. He’s good at reading defenders and making sharp passes or finishing at the rim. He played both guard spots for Illinois at times. Jakucionis also has some international pedigree, as he was one of the youngest players to ever play for the Euroleague’s FC Barcelona at just 16 years old.
While most scouts don’t believe he will be a star, there is really no telling. He is an intriguing prospect, nonetheless. The downside to the Rockets selecting him is the odds of him cracking the current rotation are slim to none. He struggles to shoot from the three-point line consistently, which would put him in good company on this Rockets squad, but the issue for him is everything he does well, there is someone on the Rockets who currently does it better and has proven themselves on the NBA level. This would be at best a pick for future depth or a future trade asset.
Carter Bryant (F – Arizona)
The former Wildcat has been mocked to the Rockets at number 10 in a USA Today mock draft and to be honest, this is a pick I would be excited about as a fan. Bryant is skilled and athletic with all the physical tools of the modern NBA wing. He has a smooth shooting stroke and can jump out the gym and projects to be a “3-and-D” player at the NBA level. He shot 37.1% from the three-point line in his line freshman year at Arizona, but that was on a very limited number of attempts, as he did struggle to carve out consistent playing time, averaging only 6.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.0 APG, which brings us to his downside as the 10th pick in the draft.
He is a very raw prospect whose potential upside is what makes him a likely lottery pick in this draft. If the Rockets were to take him, he undoubtedly would be seeing time in Rio Grande Valley playing for the Vipers. His upside makes him a very interesting player to add, once again for the purpose of future depth, or as an asset to use in potential trades. In my opinion his athleticism, and potential upside alone is a low-risk, high-reward for the Rockets at 10, if he lasts that long.
Thomas Sorber (C – Georgetown)
NBADraft.net did a mock draft that had the Rockets adding big-man depth to the roster by taking the 6ft-10in 250 lbs. center from Trenton, NJ. Scouts compared Sorber to Vin Baker (for Gen X and old millennials) and Roy Hibbert (I understand if every generation forgot him, but he was good for a min.)
Sorber is a long and skilled player who can play in the post, has a nice shooting touch and can finish through contact with either hand. He averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in his freshman year at Georgetown. He shot 57 percent from the floor and 72 percent from the free-throw line. He showed promise as a rim protector as well, averaging 2 blocks per game.
Provided that Steven Adams is returning, as is the case with the aforementioned potential draft picks, Sorber likely would not crack the rotation on this team, although I would give him the best odds of the three, given that size, rebounding and rim protection are at a premium in the NBA. Add the fact that he can score in the paint and make his free-throws, Sorber would be a welcome addition to the team in my opinion.
To Pick… Or Not to Pick…
That really is the question. For my part I try and pay attention to what the GM and head coach are saying, rather than the talking heads of the national media. Let’s face it… they want the Rockets young talent traded, not to open up the Rockets championship window, but to add talent to the likes of the Lakers, Knicks, Warriors, etc.
Last year, most “experts” predicted the Rockets would not and should not have picked at #3 when they took Reed Sheppard, yet it turned out that they believed he was the best player in the draft. I believe the Rockets could move the pick, but I don’t believe it will be in a move to acquire a “Superstar”, but I could see moving the pick to add an impactful veteran player who adds either scoring and perimeter defense, or more rebounding and rim protection. Regardless of what they decide to do, Rockets fans have every reason to be excited, as the Houston front office has placed themselves in great position of power. The future is certainly bright.