Tag: NBA Draft Lottery

2024 NBA mock drafts: February’s first-round projections for Rockets

As the 2024 calendar turns to February, here’s a look at who NBA draft analysts are projecting will join the Rockets this summer with a top-10 pick (via Brooklyn).

With three wins in four games, the Brooklyn Nets (20-28) could finally be stabilizing. But the damage has already been done. They had lost 11 of 13 and 17 of 21 as of late January, and it remains to be seen if they can overcome that stretch.

If the Nets’ horrid play continues, the beneficiary would be the Houston Rockets, who own Brooklyn’s 2024 first-round draft selection as part of the blockbuster James Harden trade from January 2021.

Entering Monday, Feb. 5, the Nets were eighth in the NBA’s pre-draft lottery standings. If they ended up in that spot, it would create a 26.3% chance of having a top-four lottery selection and a 6% shot at No. 1.

Though the Rockets (23-26) are likely to lose their own first-round draft pick to Oklahoma City as part of the 2019 Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade, it’s worth noting that unlike the Harden-Brooklyn deal, the conveyance of Houston’s pick is top-four protected.

So, if the Rockets miss the 2023-24 Western Conference playoffs, they will actually have multiple chances — both with their own pick, and the one from Brooklyn, which they will receive no matter what — at securing a top-four pick in the first round 2024 NBA draft.

And if Houston loses its pick to the Thunder due to not winning the lottery, it’s becoming increasingly likely the pick they receive from Brooklyn would be higher in the first-round order, anyway.

With that in mind, 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.

NBA Draft order: A look at where every team is picking after the NBA lottery

Here’s where every team is picking following the NBA lottery.

It’s officially NBA Draft season, folks. The lottery is over and we now know exactly where Victor Wembanyama will be headed.

San Antonio Spurs fans will be absolutely thrilled to get someone who NBA folks are calling the most exciting prospect we’ve seen in league history.

But, beyond Wembanyama, there’s still an entire draft class of players who will need to find new homes as they enter into the NBA. The teams picking through the class still have plenty of work to do before they decide who, exactly, they’re taking — even beyond the lottery.

With that said, now that everything is set, here’s the official and complete order for the 2023 NBA Draft (and check out our latest NBA mock draft after the lottery!)

UPDATE: We adjusted this after the Celtics, Wizards and Grizzlies trade

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2023 NBA mock drafts: Houston Rockets post-lottery pick projections

With the NBA’s 2023 draft lottery results now in, Amen Thompson is becoming an increasingly popular projection to Houston at No. 4 overall in the first round. #Rockets

Entering Tuesday’s 2023 NBA draft lottery, the Houston Rockets had a 14% chance of selecting No. 1 overall in the first round. That was followed by 13.4% odds of the No. 2 pick; 12.7% for the No. 3 selection; 12.0% for the No. 4 pick; 27.8% for No. 5; and 20.0% for No. 6.

Unlike 2021 and 2022, when Houston gained one of the best-case outcomes at No. 2 (Jalen Green) and No. 3 (Jabari Smith Jr.), respectively, the Rockets did not have the same luck in 2023. This year, they drew the No. 4 spot as the fourth and final lottery winner.

That means the rebuilding Rockets will not be drafting Victor Wembanyama, the historically talented French big man who is now expected to be drafted by San Antonio at No. 1 overall.

However, the Rockets will still have a number of talented options to choose from. The list potentially includes guard Scoot Henderson of the NBA G League Ignite, guard Amen Thompson of the Overtime Elite, forward Brandon Miller of Alabama and many more.

Houston also owns the No. 20 pick in the first round, which they acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Eric Gordon trade. With both slots confirmed, here’s a post-lottery look at who draft experts have going at No. 4 and No. 20 in their latest mock drafts.

Reports: Rockets already open to trading No. 4 overall draft pick

Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) of Bleacher Report and Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) of The Athletic expect the #Rockets to be active in trade talks involving the No. 4 overall draft pick.

Less than 24 hours after landing the No. 4 overall pick via the NBA’s 2023 draft lottery, reports are already emerging that Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone is open to trading it.

Had Houston defied the 14.0% odds to land the No. 1 pick (which in-state rival San Antonio did) for uber-talented French prospect Victor Wembanyama, the Rockets would almost certainly have kept the selection. But in other scenarios, Houston is open-minded as it attempts to transition to the next phase of its rebuild.

Kelly Iko of The Athletic writes:

Things are still preliminary, but Houston expects there to be a good amount of interest in acquiring the pick and will listen to inquiries — but are also open to potentially moving down or acquiring a win-now veteran if an opportunity presents itself. This reality, in addition to the potential of selecting yet another talented young player, gives them added flexibility and optimism as they enter into the next phase of their rebuild.

Meanwhile, NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report writes that Houston could also attempt to trade up.

“Expect the Rockets to try to move up to No. 2 for [Scoot] Henderson, who’d form an explosive pair with Jalen Green,” Wasserman writes in his mock draft. “But [Amen] Thompson is the better passer with far more size and similarly special explosiveness.”

There 2023 draft doesn’t take place until Thursday, June 22, so there are many weeks for Stone and the Rockets to consider their options.

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Ime Udoka excited for future after representing Rockets at draft lottery

“We’ll look forward to adding a good piece,” new #Rockets coach Ime Udoka says of the 2023 NBA draft lottery results. “We feel we will have a really great player at the four spot.”

Something happened in Chicago on Tuesday that many watching the 2023 NBA draft lottery reveal may have yet to take notice of.

As the primetime event took place on national television, most fans and NBA players of the organizations represented on stage focused on what team top prospect Victor Wembanyama would suit up for next season. But the Houston Rockets made an underlying statement.

New head coach Ime Udoka represented Houston during the lottery, and it was more than just Udoka waiting to see where his team would draft in June. It was an opportunity for him to repair his image and show the sports world that he was worthy of a second chance.

Udoka was suspended and eventually fired by the Boston Celtics prior to the 2022-23 NBA season after leading that team to the 2022 NBA Finals. It was revealed after the Finals that Udoka was having an improper relationship with a staff member of the organization.

The news of the consensual affair sent shockwaves throughout the sports and entertainment industry, as the revelation of the situation impacted the long-term relationship between Udoka and his then-fiancé, actress Nia Long. The two would later split, as more allegations of the affair were subsequently released to the media.

After nearly a year away from the NBA, Udoka was given a second chance to be a head coach when the Rockets hired him in late April.

“I take responsibility for my part in it,” Udoka said of his personal baggage at his introductory press conference with the Rockets. “I took leadership and sensitivity training, and some counseling with my son to help him improve the situation I put him in.”

In attendance for that press conference was owner Tilman Fertitta, who said he got approval from the NBA to hire Udoka. Furthermore, Fertitta said he discussed the situation with Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations for the Rockets.

“I discussed it with the president of our organization, who is a woman, and she was very comfortable,” Fertitta said. “We’re a forgiving world, and anybody that isn’t forgiving, then shame on them.”

So, as Udoka sat on the stage in Chicago and waited to hear where his new team would be making its first selection in the draft, the stoic figure who rarely shows emotions sat in a seat facing a television audience that may still wonder if he has truly changed his ways. Ultimately, it was the first step on a road to redemption.

The second step is showing the NBA and Rockets fans that his one year with Boston wasn’t a fluke, and that he can help a rebuilding team begin a climb in the Western Conference standings.

“We can add through the draft, but we also have to develop the guys we have,” Udoka said after the lottery. “We’ll look forward to adding a good piece to what we already have and have our young guys take a leap, and look to do good things next year. The scouting department and front office have done a lot more behind the scenes, but we feel we will have a really great player at the four spot.”

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Rockets GM Rafael Stone envisions ‘uber-talented’ player with No. 4 draft pick

“This is a really good draft,” #Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said after landing the No. 4 overall pick. “I’m very confident there are uber-talented players that will be available.”

Fans of the Houston Rockets were more nervous than people holding actual lottery tickets and waiting to hear the numbers called to learn if they possessed the winning ticket for the jackpot.

As the names of the 14 NBA teams in attendance for the 2023 NBA draft lottery were announced Tuesday in Chicago, the Rockets seemed to get closer and closer to winning the big prize, which would have been 19-year-old French phenom Victor Wembanyama.

With new head coach Ime Udoka on the stage as a representative for the Rockets, 10 teams were announced, and that left four chances for Houston to have the rights to add the 7-foot-5 Wembanyama to a young lineup that looks very promising for the future.

Yet, as luck would have it, with four envelopes left to choose from, Houston heard its name called at No. 4 overall. Instead, it was in-state rival San Antonio that had its card pulled for the right to select No. 1 overall in the June 22 draft.

With the opportunity to draft Wembanyama gone, it is time for Udoka and Rockets general manager Rafael Stone and Udoka to work on evaluating who will fit into Houston’s rotation for next season.

“This is a really talented draft,” Stone said about the draft prospects. “I’m happy. I think we are going to add another talented guy. We feel really good about the direction our franchise is headed in with our young core and ability to add in free agency.”

Leading options at No. 4 could include guard Scoot Henderson of the NBA G League Ignite; guard Amen Thompson of the Overtime Elite; forward Brandon Miller of Alabama; and many more.

“Our approach for the past year has been that we needed to transition out of that phase,” Stone said from the draft combine. “One is better than four, we can all do the math, but I am excited that we’re going to get an opportunity to get a really good player. We have been looking at this draft for like three years. This is a really good draft. I’m very confident there are uber-talented players that will be available.”

With the departure of James Harden via trade during the 2020-21 NBA season, the Rockets have been in a rebuilding phase that many hoped to complete with the addition of Wembanyama.

As it stands, the existing young core of Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. had just 22 wins last season. Once it finished, former head coach Stephen Silas did not have his contract extended, ending his three-year tenure with the team.

Now, Udoka is tasked with transitioning that young group to its next level, and likely with some help from the No. 4 overall pick in June.

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The winners (Damian Lillard) and losers (poor Pistons) of the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery

Who won and lost the 2023 NBA Draft lottery (yes, the Spurs are in here, obviously!).

The much-anticipated — even that feels like an understatement — 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is over, and the San Antonio Spurs won it all thanks to some ping pong ball luck.

So it would be obvious who the biggest winner of the night was: The team that will presumably take Victor Wembanyama (called perhaps “the greatest prospect in the history of team sports” by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, which felt hyperbolic). But there were other things that happened as the 2023 draft order was announced.

So let’s run through some of the winners and losers — yes, including the Spurs — of the night. And check out our latest instant NBA mock draft after the lottery.

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Reaction, takeaways: Rockets win NBA’s No. 4 draft pick in lottery

Houston’s prayers for Victor Wembanyama (bound for San Antonio) went unanswered, but the #Rockets did win one of the NBA’s four lottery picks for a third straight draft.

The Houston Rockets entered Tuesday’s critical 2023 NBA draft lottery with a 14% chance of selecting No. 1 overall in the first round, followed by 13.4% odds for the No. 2 pick; 12.7% for the No. 3 pick; 12% for the No. 4 pick; 27.8% for No. 5; and 20% for No. 6.

Unlike 2021 and 2022, when Houston gained one of the best-case outcomes at No. 2 (Jalen Green) and No. 3 (Jabari Smith Jr.), respectively, they did not have the same luck in 2023. This year, the Rockets drew the No. 4 spot as the fourth and final lottery winner.

That means the rebuilding Rockets almost certainly will not be drafting Victor Wembanyama, the historically talented French big man who is now expected to go to San Antonio at No. 1 overall.

However, they will still have a number of talented options to choose from. The list potentially includes guard Scoot Henderson of the NBA G League Ignite, guard Amen Thompson of the Overtime Elite, forward Brandon Miller of Alabama and many more.

Scroll on for immediate lottery reaction from Houston’s media members and devoted fans. Rockets Wire will have more coverage in the days and weeks ahead as Houston preps for the June 22 draft.

Every NBA team’s last No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft

A few teams have never even had the No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick.

With the 2022-23 NBA season winding down, that means it’s almost NBA Draft time.

So ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft lottery and, of course, the 2023 NBA Draft — set for June 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn — we’re looking back at the last time every NBA team had the No. 1 overall pick.

However, we don’t actually have that for all 30 teams because haven’t selected first. Six teams in NBA history have never had a No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick: the Denver Nuggets, the Indiana Pacers, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Miami Heat, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz.

So beyond them, here’s a look back at the last time the remaining 24 teams had (and used) the No. 1 overall pick and who they went with.

The 5 most fun NBA Draft lottery teams (the Spurs!) for Victor Wembanyama to land on, ranked

Here’s a look at the most fun fits for the NBA’s top prospect in 20 years.

With Victor Wembanyama’s professional future on the line, the most anticipated NBA Draft Lottery in two decades is finally tonight.

To most observers, there hasn’t been a potential game-changing franchise player like Wembanyama available since young LeBron James in 2003. That makes the long-term stakes of Tuesday night’s results potentially seismic in their impact on the NBA.

But while we’ve already observed the betting odds favorites for Wembanyama and the best team fits for the blooming superstar, it’s hard not to wonder about the most fun location. Forget Wembanyama making sense in an on-court capacity.

Where would he help create the most fireworks right away?

Here’s a definitive and totally scientific ranking of the five most fun fits for Wembanyama on the night of the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery.