Conference play is beginning in college basketball — and as the level of competition rises, the NBA draft picture for many of this year’s top prospects will increasingly come into better focus.
In 2024, the Rockets are unlikely to keep their own first-round draft choice, since Houston’s pick goes to Oklahoma City unless it lands in the top four of the draft lottery. With the NBA season nearing its midpoint, that scenario is becoming very unlikely, as Houston has remained near or slightly above .500 for most of the 2023-24 season.
Even if the Rockets don’t qualify for the 2024 playoffs, which would take a top-four finish completely off the table, the odds of a team near .500 securing one of the four lottery selections are very low.
Houston does, however, have a first-round selection headed its way from Brooklyn as part of the blockbuster James Harden trade from January 2021. The Nets have increasingly struggled in recent weeks, which is boosting the outlook for where that pick lands.
As of early January, here’s a look at who draft experts have going to Houston (with the Brooklyn pick) in the latest wave of mock drafts. Keep in mind that the projected pick slot varies based on the exact date of each mock’s publication, since the standings change daily.
The Rockets are also currently slotted to have three draft selections in the 2024 second round. Further details are available here.