After the Kevin Durant trade, the Rockets really didn't have much to do on the first night of the draft. Their pick, at number 10, was sent to Phoenix as part of the Durant deal. In a weird quirk of the NBA's offseason, Khaman Maluach will never forget the 5 minutes he got to awkwardly wear a Houston Rockets draft cap. That was about as exciting as it got for the Rockets.
Night two will be a similar situation of limited activity, with the Rockets only holding the final pick of the NBA Draft. The Rockets could opt to do nothing and trade out, as the rotation seems pretty set. They could roll this to a future asset or secure themselves a player they want to stash overseas. The Rockets might be best served brining in a low cost reserve that can provide a spark off the bench.
Rockets Should Select Caleb Love with the Final Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft
Caleb Love is one of the best-known assets in the draft. At 23, he's one of the oldest prospects but also one of the most accomplished. A former McDonald's All-American and 2024 Pac-12 Player of the Year, Love was integral in leading North Carolina to their 2022 National Championship game appearance. While he may no longer have the upside of the players drafted before him, his pedigree speaks for itself.
Love would have the ability to step in right away and contribute. He's shown the ability to take on a high level of offensive workload at Arizona and North Carolina. He can create and attack on offense. He's willing to do the dirty work of rebounding and is a tenacious on-ball defender. Those are all skills that translate to the NBA.
Unfortunately, having to take on much of the offense in college has led to Love taking a hero's mentality and making poor decisions when shooting. Going to a situation where he is surrounded by Fred VanVleet and Kevin Durant, two of the most skilled shooters in the game, he could see his shot selection develop. Head Coach Ime Udoka is the type who does not allow his players to repeatedly make mistakes. With that kind of guidance, Love would be sure to develop some better decision making.
Considering the depth that the Rockets lost when Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green departed, it would make sense to bring in an additional guard. Considering the experience Love has playing at a high level and his age, he would be able to slide into the rotation over the course of the season. If the Rockets do make a selection, Love would be the right one.