For the 2023-24 Rockets, the most important short-term implication of Wednesday’s home game versus the Brooklyn Nets was securing a win and improving to two games over .500 (17-15). Houston has clear ambitions of competing for a play-in tournament spot, or even earning an outright playoff berth, in this regular season.
But longer-term, there’s also a major benefit to hanging a loss on the Nets (15-20), who have now lost 10 of their last 12 games.
Owing to the blockbuster James Harden trade from January 2021, the Rockets control Brooklyn’s first-round NBA draft capital through 2027. With the Nets on the verge of tumbling out of play-in tournament range in the Eastern Conference standings, it’s becoming increasingly possible — if not likely — for Houston to receive a lottery selection from the Nets in the upcoming 2024 draft.
That could add a significant asset to an improving young core that already includes the likes of Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Cam Whitmore.
Granted, it’s not all rosy for the Rockets and their future draft outlook. Because of their own ill-fated trade under previous general manager Daryl Morey, Houston will likely lose its own 2024 first-round pick to Oklahoma City as part of the Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook deal from 2019. (The pick is top-four-protected, but that protection is increasingly unlikely to kick in, since the Rockets are quickly approaching the midpoint of the 2023-24 season and still above .500.)
Even so, the unprotected pick the Rockets will land from the Nets is likely to be higher in the order than the one Houston will probably lose to Oklahoma City. Thus, current general manager Rafael Stone has to be pleased. Here’s a look at implications and reaction to that Brooklyn pick, which now projects to be at No. 10 in the draft order.
Nets sending a Top 10 draft pick to Houston?
Nets are going to drop their 10th game in the last 12 and fall to 15-20.
A lot can change with the trade deadline not too far away, but the Rockets could be receiving a lottery pick this year from Brooklyn.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 4, 2024
Jabari and Fred with the dagger 3s, #Rockets up 18.
Houston improves to 17-15, Brooklyn falls to 15-20 with their 10th loss in 12 games.
Looking very possible that the Nets could be sending Houston a Top 10 draft pick this year
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2024
A 7’2 backup center drafted top-10 thanks to the Brooklyn Nets.
Sign me up. pic.twitter.com/s1gK95kE1H
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) January 3, 2024
What the #Rockets decide to do with the Nets draft capital acquired from the Harden trade is the next big question for Rafael Stone. Brooklyn has no incentive to tank and will probably continue re-tooling to try and remain competitive.
1. With 4 players rostered from the last… https://t.co/jtzY4NngNC
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) January 3, 2024
Bit of a victory lap for Rafael Stone tonight.#Rockets already added Tari Eason through the James Harden trade. Houston should add a lottery pick in June, a trend that could continue in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Quite the price for 80 games of Harden.https://t.co/01Qeaqha41
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 3, 2024
Nets – Rockets Wednesday
Brooklyn's chance to showcase talent for the trade that gets all of the draft picks back
— Doug Norrie (@DougNorrie) January 3, 2024
“And with the 3rd pick in the 2024 nba draft the Houston rockets select” https://t.co/9h20BtPAiQ
— TKO 🏀 (@TKO__KID) January 3, 2024
The 2024 Rockets gonna make the playoffs and still go into the draft lottery with hopes of another top 5 pick😂 Nets down bad
— Jacob Barry 💯🚀 (@Jacob3806) January 4, 2024
