Will the Rockets swing for the fences?
Welcome to NBA Draft day, everyone. In a matter of hours, or perhaps sooner, we’ll know if Houston uses the No. 3 overall pick or packages it in a deal to land an established or emerging star.
There is no league like the NBA when it comes to entertaining offseasons. On the eve of the 2024 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets sent a shockwave through social media by agreeing to terms on a trade that allows Mikal Bridges to call Madison Square Garden home.
Shortly after, Brooklyn made a deal with Houston to regain their 2026 first-round pick, giving the Rockets Phoenix’s 2027 first-rounder. Houston can also swap for Phoenix’s 2025 first-round pick.
In the aftermath, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned that Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are desired additions for Houston. He then explained that Phoenix has been adamant that they are still looking to compete for championships rather than kickstart a rebuild. Just like that, the path to Houston winning the NBA Draft became evident.
As Anakin Skywalker once put it, this is where the fun begins.
On the surface, Phoenix abandoning championship aspirations seems far-fetched. But is it? Past championship-winning teams have looked far from the Suns’ roster makeup. Phoenix’s championship window may have passed after falling to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 Finals, before eventually trading the likes of Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Chris Paul.
If Phoenix trades Booker or Durant, it means a rebuild is likely underway. The haul after dealing those two in trades along with Beal (albeit a difficult contract) would put the Suns in a position to have success down the road. So it’s safe to imagine there’s at least an ounce of temptation to hit the reset button.
Enter: Houston
After an encouraging regular season, it’s no secret Houston is looking to improve its roster. As prolific as Durant is, trading for the 35-year-old future Hall-Of-Famer gets you into the playoffs, but that isn’t enough to warrant making the deal. If the Rockets were a Durant-caliber player away from a championship, it’d make sense. For those wondering, that goes for Paul George and Jimmy Butler too.
On the other hand, Booker would be an incredibly wise investment for Houston, given his age and how he fits in on the current roster. He’d instantly give Houston a franchise player, a perennial All-Star and a potential MVP. But more importantly, he provides Houston with the belief that a championship is attainable much sooner than later.
If Houston lands Booker without trading Jalen Green, it adds an opportunity to improve the roster even further, given his value on the trade market. If Green is indeed traded, it likely means Phoenix could not totally raid Houston’s draft capital. Both scenarios are acceptable when gaining Booker is the result.
If Houston keeps the No. 3 pick, Reed Sheppard should be the selection if he’s available. Below is what I wrote about Sheppard in May:
Three-point shooters aren’t hard to find these days, but elite snipers who take smart shots and can get teammates involved are typically rare. Fortunately for Houston, the opportunity to draft one could present itself if Atlanta or Washington doesn’t select Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard.
Sheppard attended the John Calipari School for bucket-getters last season at Kentucky. He looks to be the latest Wildcat to excel in the league.
Though he was a three-point specialist in college, don’t be fooled. Devin Booker of the Phoenix Stars was used similarly during his time with the Wildcats while coming off the bench. This isn’t a prediction that Sheppard will become Booker, just a reminder that college basketball and the NBA have entirely different playstyles.
Sheppard’s game fits the pros better than the NCAA. Sheppard logged 12.5 points per game on the year with 4.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from beyond the arc.
Houston has the assets to acquire Booker to the point that overpaying is an option if need be. If the Suns won’t budge, Sheppard should be the pick and Houston should use young talent and draft picks to improve the roster via trade.