NEWSLETTER
What Will The Houston Rockets Do With The 3rd Pick? – The NBA is changing this year’s draft format for the 2024 season. The 78th annual draft will be held over two nights, a departure from the single-night format that has been the standard since the late 1980s. The first round will take place tonight at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, with the second round following on Thursday night at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in Manhattan.
During the second round, the time between picks will be extended from two minutes to four. Additionally, the draft will consist of 58 picks instead of the usual 60 due to tampering penalties imposed on the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns over the past two years.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are at a critical point with an abundance of young talent and draft picks, sparking speculation about their next move. Should they consolidate their assets and make a push for a superstar?
The answer is not a simple yes or no. The Rockets could certainly justify a blockbuster trade if a truly elite player became available. However, the prudent path might be to hold onto their assets and nurture the development of their young core. In the past 48 hours, rumors of a Kevin Durant trade, which would involve this selection along with future first-round picks and some of their young talent, have increased. It’d be an aggressive win-now move for Houston, and it’ll be fascinating to watch how it plays out.
We’ll move forward assuming they’ll stick at pick 3 and make a selection when they’re on the clock.
Ime Udoka has demonstrated an ability to bring out the best in a young team. The first year in Houston was definitely a positive step for the organization, but there are still some lingering questions for the long term. Can Jalen Green succeed while playing alongside Alperen Sengun? Will Amen Thompson improve his shooting and ball-handling skills? With so many uncertainties, making a rushed decision could be detrimental. The Rockets have a valuable asset – time. Their young core allows them the luxury of being patient and growing organically. I believe that the 2023-2024 season exceeded expectations, both internally and externally, and the focus should be on steadily building upon that success.
What Will The Houston Rockets Do With The 3rd Pick?
Reed Sheppard – Kentucky Wildcats
Position: PG/SG
Size: 6’3″, 187 lbs
Age/Year: 19, Freshman
Nationality: American
Pro Comparison (per The Ringer): Derrick White
This feels like the chalkiest pick in the first round, but the player-team fit makes a ton of sense. Sheppard has an impressive shooting ability with a fast, high release and a wide shooting range. Although Kentucky didn’t utilize him in off-screen situations, he demonstrates the capability to shoot while in motion, and his dribbling skills bode well for his overall potential. When given space, he is quick to fire.
Despite being small in stature, he has a significant defensive impact due to his exceptional instincts and quick hands. He is a disruptive force when defending the ball and displays playmaking skills when in possession. While he excels as a defender, his size could be a disadvantage against larger, more powerful players, leading to potential challenges and limitations in containing them.
This team needs more shooting and floor spacing based on the current roster, and Sheppard fits the bill toward the top of this class.
2024 NBA draft order: First Round
1. Atlanta Hawks
2. Washington Wizards
3. Houston Rockets (via BKN)
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Detroit Pistons
6. Charlotte Hornets
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR)
9. Memphis Grizzlies
10. Utah Jazz
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Portland Trail Blazers (via GS)
15. Miami Heat
16. Philadelphia 76ers
17. Los Angeles Lakers*
18. Orlando Magic
19. Toronto Raptors (via IND)
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via MIL)
22. Phoenix Suns
23. Milwaukee Bucks (via NO)
24. New York Knicks (via DAL)
25. New York Knicks
26. Washington Wizards (via LAC)
27. Minnesota Timberwolves
28. Denver Nuggets
29. Utah Jazz (via OKC)
30. Boston Celtics
