Similar to when we drafted a 22yo Chandler Parsons as a Senior at Florida, perhaps in this year's draft the Rockets FO will value an older player in the 10-15 range to see if we can get a more immediate contributor. 21 years or older: Nique Clifford - Colorado State, 23yo Danny Wolf - Michigan, 21yo Rasheer Fleming - St. Joseph's, 21yo Kam Jones - Marquette, 23yo Alex Karaban - UConn, 22yo Nique passes the eye test, all be it in an easier Conference. He also smokes Chandler in a head to head comparison. https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=nique-clifford--chandler-parsons
If they are your goal we should trade back and obtained another asset because there will be more “valued” players when we pick. Not saying either wouldn’t make the rotation but we should be in the late lottery with the Sun’s pick. I like picking more mature players because we are drafting what is, not what could maybe one day happen.
a trade back for fleming and into the 26 draft would be great then try to leverage the 26 pick we picked up and trade cam for a pick swap in 26 to get a shot at peterson who is the best guard prospect since luka
Anyone who is big for their position, can play Udoka defense, run the fast break and nail tough shots is what I'm pulling for. Get'r done Stoner!!
I really like Yaxel Lendeborg. 22 y.o, do it all 6'9 big. Led UAB in every single stat. Smart player. Rebounding machine. Solid jumper that should improve. Great passer at his position. Good interior defender with quick hands 2x AAC DPOY. Put up one of thee craziest stat lines in NCAA this year. 30/20/8/5/4 vs. Eastern Carolina in the conference tournament. A strong, not twitchy athlete. His ability to defend in space is the big question, but I think he has the smarts to find ways to be effective. I think at the very least you get a rebounding PF that can space the floor. If things go right he's Al Horford-lite
I want to trade the pick as I don’t see a rookie getting rotational minutes next season but Flemming and Murray-Boyles are good prospects that may be there at #10. My favorite non-Cooper or Harper prospect is Kon, but he won’t be there when we pick.
Hah well a few days after I posted that he committed to Michigan. Still keeping his name in the draft though. I think its pretty unlikely he's the guy at #9, but there does seem to be at least one upperclassman lottery pick in most drafts..Cam Johnson, Chris Duarte, Ochai Agbaji, Zach Edey. 15-30 seems like his range pre-combine. Would be an absolute steal in the 2nd but probably plays for Michigan if he doesn't get a first round eval from teams.
I wonder if the Rockets have some Euro dude on their radar right now, kinda like they did with Sengun. I'd love to know who they're excited about in the draft.
Rasheer Fleming has been coming up a lot around here and I got say, I think I'm most excited about him. He looks like he would be the perfect pairing alongside Eason and Thompson for 3 headed monster on the defensive end. Thompson - 6'7" / 7'0" wingspan Eason -------- 6'8" / 7'2" wingspan Fleming ----- 6'9" / 7'5" wingspan
Fleming is the guy in my mind. I'm not breaking the bank for either Eason or Jabari at this point though I would like to keep both (gun to my head I keep Tari). Fleming has the tools to be an elite defender at the 4/5 and a shot that has progressed to the point that he has to be accounted for. I think he could fit in next to or behind Sengun. I think he is just the perfect piece for the Rocket's front court, especially if Smith or Eason proves to be cost prohibitive. I also like Walter Clayton Jr. as guard depth. Hes risen up to the bottom of the first and I wouldnt mind if the Rockets took a swing at getting a pick to select him. I know there's probably some soreness given the tournament but the kid would be nice coming off the bench behind Reed after he gets a year or so seasoning. Im probably putting the cart before the horse on Reed there but that's what I foresee over the next season or two. Just because I am a sadist I also wouldnt hate taking a flyer (ie a two way deal as an UFA) on Trevon Brazile out of Arkansas. With the Rockets having to face Wemby for the foreseeable future I wouldnt mind a low cost big with length and athleticism off the bench. Dont expect him to do much more than be 6 fouls when we play SAS but maybe he surprises.
