The Houston Rockets, while looking to make a playoff push this season with a combination of young stars and veterans, are also poised for an exciting future, thanks to a wealth of draft pick accumulated over the next few years. This strategic stockpile is the result of several key transactions and a focused rebuilding effort by CEO Rafael Stone.
Houston selected Reed Sheppard this summer with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The pick came from the Brooklyn Nets as part of the James Harden trade, and now the Rockets will bring in a promising young guard to add to the youthful core and potential of this group. Sheppard will likely come off the bench, but already has high hopes, even expectations for Rookie of the Year honors.
Looking ahead, the Rockets will have two first-round picks in 2025. One of the picks is theirs and the other will come from either Oklahoma City or Phoenix.
The Thunder have the right to trade their 2025 pick for Houston’s 2025 top-10 protected pick or the Clippers’ 2025 pick. The Rockets then have the right to trade their pick or the Thunder’s pick to the Nets for the Suns’ 2025 pick. If the Rockets’ pick falls within their protected range, then their obligation to the Thunder will be terminated and Houston will instead have the right to trade their pick to Brooklyn for Phoenix’s.
The Rockets have no first-round picks in 2026, but they do have three second-round picks. In 2027, they’ll have an absurd three first-round picks, one of which will be a trade to the Nets.
In 2027, Houston has its own first-round pick and, as a bonus, will receive either Dallas or Phoenix’s first-round pick in 2029. As the Rockets become competitive, they also have plenty of insurance to fall back on in case things don’t work out.
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