The 2021 NBA Draft will take place on July 29. As the it approaches, The Game Haus will be doing draft profiles for each NBA team. Each NBA squad will be analyzed, team needs will be addressed and potential targets will be discussed.
The Houston Rockets are the subject of today’s 2021 NBA Draft Profile.
2021 was the season in which the Rockets went from perennial title contender to complete rebuild. It started with head coach Mike D’Antoni resigning from the position in September. He was replaced with journeyman assistant coach Stephen Silas. Then, general manager Daryl Morey resigned and became the GM of the Philadelphia 76ers. Morey was replaced by first-timer Rafael Stone.
Stone’s first move was to trade John Wall and Russell Westbrook. In early 2021, James Harden essentially forced the Rockets to trade him to the Brooklyn Nets. This was Houston’s first season without their superstar since 2011.
All of these moves and turbulence led to the Rockets finishing the season with the worst record in the league, at 17-55. During the season the team lost 20 games in a row. They had the best chance to earn the first overall pick in the draft, but ended up with the second. The Rockets are in an enviable position, though, owning three of the first 30 picks in the draft.
The Rockets have three picks in the 2021 NBA Draft.
First Round (three picks):
Pick Nos. 2, 23, and 24
Everything: It may seem a bit lazy and broad to claim the team needs “everything,” but this team is incredibly short-handed in almost every category.
The Rockets finished in the bottom 10 in all of the following categories: points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, turnovers per game, three point percentage, field goal percentage and free throw percentage. In some of those categories, Houston was in the bottom five or even the bottom three.
In short, it is a very good thing they have three picks in the first round.
Pick No. 2: Jalen Green, SG, G-League Ignite
Green is the closest thing to the talent that the Rockets lost in the offseason; the incredibly athletic Russell Westbrook and elite offensive talent James Harden.
Jalen Green spent his time honing his skills in the G-League instead of college. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Honing his skills in the G-League Ignite instead of college, Green is NBA-ready and has the ability to be the league’s next great scorer. He can slash, he can shoot and he can begin to fill Harden’s massive shoes from day one.
That is undoubtedly a tall order, but the potential is through the roof with Green. It makes perfect sense to try to replicate the success Harden gave them right away with another shooting guard.
Pick No. 23: Isaiah Jackson, PF, Kentucky
Defense is the name of the game with this pick. Jackson has some of the best defensive potential in the draft and has length and rebounding talent to boot. Given that the Rockets need a boost in just about every stat, Jackson gives them some defensive flexibility at the wing position. He may not be able to start until he improves his jump shot, but that can be fixed quickly with the right personnel.
Pick No. 24: Miles McBride, PG, West Virginia
McBride is one of the best pure point guard talents in the 2021 NBA Draft. That is invaluable for a team looking to rebuild. McBride can be built around if he is allowed to lead and grow with this new generation of Houston Rockets. His offense and defense are both polished and he can be a set up man for Green.
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