2023 NBA mock drafts, mid-June update: Houston Rockets pick projections

Is Villanova’s Cam Whitmore making a late charge? Entering draft week, some mocks have the #Rockets selecting Whitmore over Amen Thompson at No. 4 overall.

The 2023 NBA draft is less than one week away.

The action starts at 7 p.m. Central on Thursday, June 22, from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It will be televised on ABC and ESPN.

After landing at No. 4 in the draft lottery, the rebuilding Rockets will not be drafting Victor Wembanyama, the historically talented French big man who will go to San Antonio at No. 1. However, general manager Rafael Stone will have several talented options to choose among once Houston is on the clock.

At fourth, the list of candidates for the Rockets is presumably led by guard Scoot Henderson of the NBA G League Ignite, guard Amen Thompson of the Overtime Elite and forward Brandon Miller of Alabama. Other options include Ausar Thompson, Amen’s twin brother from Overtime Elite, and Villanova forward Cam Whitmore.

Houston also owns the No. 20 pick in the first round, which it acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Eric Gordon trade. Here’s a look entering draft week at who experts have going at No. 4 and No. 20 in their latest mock drafts.