The rockets biggest need is athletic frontcourt players. The most mentioned solutions is K Martin. I hear great things about Morris. I think Mihm would be a good pick after 5, maybe earlier depending on players available. The questions 1)How often does a team with a specific need actually fill that need in the draft? 2)Do the rockets take the best available player, the best available athlete, the most well rounded, the best SF, the best athletic big man, or the best big man? 3)Do the rockets try to add a SF before the trade deadline to give management more flexibilty at the draft? 4)Do the rockets explore trading down to 9-13 spots if they between the picks 3 and 8? Some of the answers 1)No idea. The clips, grizz, Bulls (Odom 4, Francis 2, Brand 1)just drafted players last year without positional considerations. The raptors(Bender) traded away 5. T-wolves (Szczerbiak) took best available who happened to be at a position they needed help at. 2) Always take best available or trade down to player wanted. Easier said than done though. 3) Get the SL for next year set before the trading deadline. This makes the draft pick fight to start, plus doesn't let other teams force the rockets hand at the draft. 4)The rockets usually have players highlighted who they want to draft and where. Most GM's will sell their soul to trade up. There seems to be a number of projects (Mihm for example) that may go high. My thinking is that the SFs will slide a few spots considering the lack of height at last years draft.
Another question 5. Do the Rocks trade their pick and Walt for a young established player who is entering the last year of their rookie contract? The benefits to this tact are that the Rocks will get a player with known NBA capabilities for a draft pick who is not guaranteed to develop into a quality NBA starter; thus, less risk.
Just to let everybody know, Mihm is not a senior. I think he's a Junior, but definitely not a senior. And we don't know if he'll even come out.
