With the Charlotte Hornets reportedly focused on Alabama forward Brandon Miller at No. 2 in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft, the Houston Rockets appear comfortable in their spot at No. 4.
By most accounts, the Rockets could use a point guard, and the combination of Miller to the Hornets and French big man Victor Wembanyama going No. 1 to San Antonio means that at least one of the top two lead guards — Scoot Henderson of the G League Ignite and the Overtime Elite’s Amen Thompson — should be on the board.
As a result, Houston doesn’t appear likely to trade down when it can’t guarantee that one of those point guards would be available at a later pick. Similarly, it doesn’t need to surrender significant assets to trade up when it can get a top target where it is.
The Rockets also, however, own a second first-round selection at No. 20 overall (via a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers). There’s considerably more uncertainty with that selection, both in terms of who the Rockets might select or potential trades that could send Houston up, down or out of the 2023 draft entirely.
Entering Thursday, here’s our roundup of where things stand and the considerations at play for general manager Rafael Stone.