The 2024-25 NBA Conference Finals are ongoing, but that hasn't stopped eliminated teams like the Houston Rockets from looking ahead in the offseason. Once the NBA Finals are decided, the 2025 draft will be the next event on the calendar, and there's a good chance the Rockets have already started planning which prospects they'll use their two selections on.
While most of the pre-draft attention has been on the team's upcoming No. 10 pick, the Rockets can still find help when it's time to announce the 59th overall selection in Round 2. That includes one upcoming prospect who just revealed whether or not he'll be participating in next month's draft.
Potential Rockets Target Jamir Watkins Will Enter 2025 NBA Draft
Florida State wing Jamir Watkins is one potential second-round target for the Rockets, as ESPN is currently listing the 23-year-old as the No. 65-ranked prospect in their latest rankings. Although there were rumors the Seminole could opt out of this year's class, it looks like that's no longer a threat to happen.
"Watkins tells me that he's staying in the 2025 NBA draft," CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported on Wednesday afternoon.
On Apr. 9, Watkins revealed on Instagram that he was entering the transfer portal ahead of his final year of college eligibility. It isn't new territory, as he pulled out of the 2024 draft before returning to FSU for another year. Watkins has since spent the last two months debating his next step before ultimately deciding that now is the perfect time to turn pro.
After an uninspiring run at VCU, Watkins opted for a change in scenery when he transferred to Florida State ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. The decision to swap schools paid off, as the 6-foot-7, 210-pound wing averaged 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 steals while shooting 45.7% from the floor and 34.4% from deep across 33 games.
Watkins then followed up that performance by putting up a career-high 18.4 points per game in 2024-25, adding 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals while slashing .427/.321/.747 en route to second-team All-ACC honors.
With forwards Jeff Green and Jae'Sean Tate becoming unrestricted free agents in July, Watkins is a name the Rockets could target if either veteran (or both) leaves this summer. Houston also has enough returning wing depth that it can afford to be more patient with the FSU prospect, who'll likely need more time to develop as a likely second-round pick.
With the right development, Watkins could be a reliable player in the Rockets' rotation within the next few years, making him a prospect worth walking in the coming weeks. The 2025 NBA Draft will be taking place in Brooklyn, NY, on Wednesday, June 25, airing live across ESPN.