The Rockets avoided the dire scenario of losing their first-round pick by securing the No. 2 overall pick in Tuesday’s 2021 NBA draft lottery. Assuming Cade Cunningham goes first to Detroit, as most expect, Houston general manager Rafael Stone could choose between top prospects such as Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, and Jalen Green.
By comparison, Houston had a much greater probability (47.9%) at finishing at No. 5, which would have sent their pick to Oklahoma City as a condition of the Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade in July 2019. But Oklahoma City’s right to swap picks with the Rockets was top-four-protected, and the lottery draw went Houston’s way. The stakes were enormous, since OKC also owns Miami’s first-round draft pick (No. 18) and would have been able to swap that one for the Houston pick.
However, the Rockets don’t have to worry about such a awful scenario any longer. After one of the worst seasons in franchise history, headlined by the forced departure of longtime superstar James Harden, the Rockets will be in position on July 29 to potentially pick their next star.
Here’s a look at how fans and media members reacted in real-time on Tuesday night, as the draft order was revealed on television.
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https://t.co/LQNArx0Ec5 pic.twitter.com/alibpxjkTA
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) June 23, 2021
IN THE TOP 4! pic.twitter.com/Aa3khrcP8E
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 23, 2021
Big draft lottery moment! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/kH7N4WTvLF
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 23, 2021
Detroit is certainly the winner of tonight but Houston is a close second.
They went from possibly having the 18th pick to no. 2.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 23, 2021
The Rockets won 17 games this season after trading away James Harden and could have landed at No. 18 in the July draft if the lottery balls went against them.
No. 2 must sound pretty good in Houston tonight.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2021
Top-4 pick secured.
Hey #Rockets Twitter — how bout that? pic.twitter.com/4JDOB5FIHY
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) June 23, 2021
The Houston Rockets finish with the #2 pick! They will be picking between Evan Mobley, Jalen Green and Jalen Suggs. It's not Cade but this is a huge win.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 23, 2021
ROCKETS GET TOP 4 PICK
ROCKETS GET TOP 4 PICK
ROCKETS GET TOP 4 PICK
ROCKETS GET TOP 4 PICK
ROCKETS GET TOP 4 PICK
ROCKETS GET TOP 4 PICK
— arian (@arxanii) June 23, 2021
The #Rockets just secured what is immediately the most valuable piece of their rebuild.
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) June 23, 2021
Falling to 5 would've been a massive loss for the Rockets, but make no mistake — this is a big loss for the OKC Thunder. They get zilch for the swap this year and the Rockets add a key piece that helps them improve before pick debt picks up again in 2024. This was huge.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 23, 2021
My biggest takeaway, before we get into Suggs/Mobley/Green debates: IMO, this should unite #Rockets fans and put a nice bow on the end of the James Harden era.
No more Simmons/LeVert/Allen hypotheticals. The ability to bottom out, if needed, was part of Rafael Stone's calculus.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 23, 2021
This is an incredible asset. No more bickering, there's something very tangible now that clearly results from the Harden package Stone took.
Quite frankly, it makes it all the easier to reflect fondly on James, too. The franchise isn't "back," but this is real hope. #Rockets
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 23, 2021
Guys.
The Rockets kept the pick.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 23, 2021
Rockets have to be thrilled. Not only did they avoid a fall to the 18th pick, and not only is their return to the first round and to the top picks coming in the year the top four prospects are unusually strong, the other top five picks go east for a change.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) June 23, 2021
The Rockets will get a big time player at #2 to pair with a talented young core already in town!
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) June 23, 2021
Pick #2 – WELCOME TO HOUSTON!!
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) June 23, 2021
This is a very good top four. Teenagers. Not a huge difference at this point, even with a clear No. 1. https://t.co/kdlmtgZkNR
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) June 23, 2021
This is all bonus territory now. The Rockets are going to be a in GREAT position with any of the top four picks.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 23, 2021
When I tell you, I jumped up and screamed https://t.co/MHJpOMbNvD
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) June 23, 2021
A good Hakeem smile there. With good reason.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) June 23, 2021
Hakeem the Dream is in the house. pic.twitter.com/iga8KYuLWo
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 23, 2021
Guys.
The Rockets kept the pick.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 23, 2021
Snap mock draft:
1 Pistons – Cade Cunningham
2 Rockets – Jalen Green
3 Cavaliers – Evan Mobley
4 Raptors – Jalen Suggs
5 Magic -Jonathan Kuminga
6 Thunder – Scottie Barnes
7 Warriors – Davion Mitchell
8 Magic – Keon Johnson
9 Kings – Franz Wagner— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 23, 2021
Stephen Silas & Rafael Stone are popping bottles right now pic.twitter.com/lxoJMRhAIB
— Olympics Ach™ (@Kingach19) June 23, 2021
#Rockets owner @TilmanJFertitta on landing the #2 pick in the NBA Draft: “It’s huge because we didn’t give up any assets we had and now we got a #2 pick. We just need to take advantage of the opportunity to be fortunate like this…” pic.twitter.com/CVHbPKfqA1
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 23, 2021
The #Rockets had only a 27.3% chance to pick in the top two. Time to retire the sarcastic #HoustonSports hashtag, this was incredibly good fortune. Celebrate and enjoy it, folks.https://t.co/NPMfG96uD0
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 23, 2021