The Rockets had a very full roster at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, even utilizing two rare “hardship exceptions” to replace injured players that they did not want to outright release. As a result, many around the league have wondered if Houston — which currently owns three first-round picks in the NBA’s 2021 draft — would actually use all three on players who are available to play in the 2021-22 season.
After all, the Rockets could potentially use one of the three picks on a foreign player who might play overseas for at least a year. Or, they could trade one of the picks for some future asset. Any of those would free up a 2021-22 roster spot for use somewhere else. But according to general manager Rafael Stone, Houston isn’t committed to such a plan just yet.
In a conversation with Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Stone was asked if he was open to bringing in three more young players, or if it’s more likely that he will do a trade involving one of those picks. Stone responded:
We definitely can fit three young players, so I’m fine with it. If that’s what makes the most sense. It depends on who’s there in the draft. We could package and trade up, we could trade into the future. We could trade for a vet. They’re all on the table. That’s always going to be dictated by the deals on the table.
An @TheAthletic exclusive: #Rockets GM Rafael Stone on getting back to the top, why he loves Christian Wood, Houston’s unique market advantage and everything else you can think of. https://t.co/v8sdLmNI74 pic.twitter.com/acCkVyn1ae
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) June 16, 2021
In other words, the approach for the Rockets is likely to be best player (or asset) available. Coming off a year with the NBA’s worst record, Houston isn’t yet in a position where it can be selective in terms of the ideal roster fit, and precise composition of rookies versus veterans.
From Stone’s standpoint, the objective is to maximize the value of those first-round selections. If that means taking players who are all available to play in the 2021-22 season, that’s what he plans to do.
