The Houston Rockets are in an excellent spot in the NBA, having an almost-contender in the present while possessing one of the brightest futures of any team in the league. Their combination of draft assets and young players with upside is unmatched in the NBA outside of Oklahoma City, putting GM Rafael Stone in a unique position this offseason. Finding the right balance between winning in the present and prioritizing the future is always tough, but the Rockets have to make sure they don't make one costly mistake this summer.
The NBA Draft is a month away, and the Rockets have the tenth-overall pick. It would be a big mistake if the Rockets held onto that pick and selected another rookie.
Rockets Must Trade Their 2025 First-Round Pick
The Rockets already have too many talented young players for whom they struggle to find minutes. Cam Whitmore and Reed Sheppard would be in most teams' rotations, and they can't get on the floor in Houston. This lowers their trade value and impedes their development. The Rockets can't afford to do the same with another lottery pick this season.
Plus, the Rockets have a slew of first-round picks coming their way in future years. They have swap rights with Brooklyn, and an outright unprotected first-round pick of Phoenix in 2027, as well as their own picks every year other than 2026. That means more assets and potential young players are coming in over the next few years.
The No. 10 overall pick is a lot more valuable now than the rookie selected there will be at the trade deadline. If a team acquires the pick before the draft, they can make their draft plans accordingly and select the player they want.
Therefore, Houston shouldn't waste any more time before finding a new home for their lottery pick. Whether it's by packaging it as part of a larger deal for a star or for a veteran role player in a smaller deal, the Rockets simply have to move on from their pick before the draft. Whether GM Stone agrees, remains to be seen.