With the NBA’s 2020-21 regular season now complete, the Houston Rockets have clarity on two of the three first-round picks that they will own in the league’s 2021 draft. The selection acquired from Portland (via the Robert Covington trade) comes in at No. 23 overall, while Milwaukee’s choice (via the PJ Tucker trade) is right behind it at No. 24.
Their highest pick, though, is yet to be determined — and the variance is significant. Having finished 2020-21 with the NBA’s worst record, the Rockets maximized their odds of earning a top-four pick (52.1%) in the June 22 draft lottery. However, in the 47.9% scenario where they do not win a top-four selection, their top pick would tumble all the way to the Miami slot at No. 18. That traces back to the Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade in July 2019, which gives Oklahoma City the right to “swap” Miami’s pick for the Houston one, if it falls outside of the top four.
In short, the Rockets are slated to pick three times in the first round of the July 29 draft. Their selections will come at No. 23, No. 24… and either No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, or No. 18, depending on the June 22 lottery. That same week will also feature the NBA’s annual draft combine, which could further shake up the various potential outcomes at play.
If (and it’s a huge if) the lottery order goes according to record, Houston would draft at No. 1, No. 23, and No. 24. In his latest mock draft published on June 1, here’s what For The Win’s Bryan Kalbrosky projects the Rockets would do at those slots, prior to the lottery and combine.
My latest 2021 NBA mock draft is now live! Some fits that make too much sense:
6. Warriors: Scottie Barnes
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11. Hornets: Kai Jones
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17. Grizzlies: Franz Wagner
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19. Knicks: Sharife Cooper
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22. Lakers: BJ Boston
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26. Nuggets: Ziaire Williams
.. https://t.co/3OtdrwX2qe— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) June 1, 2021
Pick No. 1: Cade Cunningham, Houston Rockets
Wing, 6-7, Oklahoma State (Freshman)
Most Common Comparison(s): Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ben Simmons
It is reportedly only a matter of when (not if) Houston will buy out the remainder of John Wall’s contract. But despite finishing with the league’s worst record, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is excited about the future of the organization, and there is no one with more potential to right the ship as the face of a franchise than Cade Cunningham.
It is rare for a prospect to enter the NBA with the intangibles all that he has with his size, pull-up shooting, self-creation and playmaking. It’s not worth overthinking it with Cunningham, who has all the makings to be an All-Star.
NOTE: This pick is protected if it is Nos. 1-4. Otherwise, it goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“What’s wrong with me feeling like I’m even better than what y’all are saying?”
Potential No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham is coming into the NBA with high expectations for himself 😤 pic.twitter.com/iW8CnnbKzI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 24, 2021
As for Houston’s other two 2021 first-round selections, which are being acquired from Portland and Milwaukee, read on.
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