Matas Buzelis may not be the safest pick, but may be the best pick if you are willing to take a chance.
The Houston Rockets have become all too familiar with picking near the top of the NBA Draft. They have had the second, third and fourth pick for the last three seasons.
Going into this season’s draft lottery, the trend of drafting in the top five was primed to end. The Rockets finished 41-41 and did not have their pick. They did have the Brooklyn Nets pick from the James Harden trade, but that was projected to land closer to 10 than the top five. Well, it seems the top five wasn’t done with the Rockets yet, as they moved to the top three.
Most people thought another high pick made little sense for a team with several players under 22. Now that they are back in the top three, that decision has become murkier. My thought has always been that the Rockets should look to move that pick to upgrade their current team with a more established player. As mentioned earlier, the reason is that the Rockets already struggle to give minutes to their young players now, and adding another 19 or 20-year-old will make matters worse. Also, this draft isn’t considered one of the stronger drafts, especially compared to last season.
That said, if the Rockets decide that staying in the draft is the best course of action, one player may stand out above the rest. Of course, a player like Alex Sarr would be the Rockets’ first choice if he was still on the board, but with him going in the top two, Matas Buzelis may be the most exciting name left on the board.
Why Buzelis may be the pick at number three
As mentioned earlier, the Rockets took a giant leap last season. Coming off a 22-win season, many experts and Vegas had the Rockets at around 30 wins, but as we now know, those predictions were too low. Despite the improvement, the Rockets still have areas to address this offseason. Outside shooting is still a considerable concern. The Rockets ranked toward the bottom of the league for most of the season from beyond the arc.
Players like Reed Shepard would be a huge help in that department, as he was one of the best shooters in college basketball last season. However, when picking number three overall, you are looking for a player to fit a specific need and a player who could one day be more than just a really good role player, and that is where Buzelis comes into the picture.
The Rockets, of course, have Alperen Sengun, one of the best offensive centers in the league, and with Steven Adams in the mix for next season, the center position is one of Houston’s strongest areas. Still, they lack a versatile forward who can not only score inside but can take his man off the dribble regularly.
Buzelis is one of the most versatile players in the draft. Also, keep in mind that up until the beginning of last season, many saw him as a potential number-one pick.
The 6’10” (sometimes 6’8”, depending on who you ask) forward who played last season for the G-League Unite can score from midrange in the paint and has good enough handles to take his defender off the bounce consistently. He is a good transition scorer and has a high basketball IQ. Constantly moving and scoring off the ball is a valuable skill for any team. Even on the defensive end, Buzelis showed that he could stay in front of a ball handler and not be a traffic cone on that side.
Buzelis also has basketball in his blood. His parents played professionally in Lituania before coming to Chicago, where Matas was born and raised. That, at the very least, lets you know Buzelis knows how to play the game, being raised in a basketball family. Buzelis averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, and over 2 blocks per game for the now-defunct Ignite team. Keep in mind he did start the season with an ankle injury that slowed down his progress at the beginning of the season.
Despite the slow start and the dysfunction around his G League team, he still put together an encouraging season that showcased many of his skills.
Room for improvement
Any prospect always has room for improvement, and Buzelis is no different. Despite shooting well in high school from beyond the arc, Buzelis struggled from deep in his one year with the Ignite. Buzelis only shot 27 percent from three-point range in 26 games. Also, at 6’10”, he only weighs a little over 200 pounds, which can become an issue in the NBA when you are going against point guards who sometimes weigh close to 220.
Another aspect of his game that needs improvement is his ability to get to the free-throw line. Last season, he only got to the line a little over two times a game, which is a crucial component for any forward or front-court scorer who can’t necessarily overpower his opponent. Also, even with his average to sometimes above-average handles, he has to show he can withstand on-ball pressure from better defenders that he will see at the next level.
Conclusion
My first thought regarding this pick is that I would try to trade it and bring in another player who can immediately impact winning. The Rockets may keep the pick and see if they can catch lightning in a bottle. There are safer players than Buzelis in the draft that should be available at the third spot, but sometimes, playing it safe gets you Markelle Fultz instead of Jayson Tatum.