Players in the Rockets draft range have enormous potential. I've ranked them in the order I would put them on a big board, as follows: Demin, Jakucionis, Essengue, Coward, Bryant, Murray-Boyles, Richardson, Fleming, Queen. In no particular order, here is a cluster of guys who are projected late in the first round that should have productive pro careers: Ben Saraf PG/SG -- age 19 Thomas Sorber C -- age 19 Nique Clifford SG/F -- age 23 Walter Clayton Jr. -- age 22 My guess is one or more of the bulleted players will be a difference maker if they land on the right team/situation.
I suspect we trade the pick, and I hope we do, because I just don’t like any of these prospects very much. I say trade up for Kon, or trade out, or trade back. But here goes: Demin - can’t shoot, can’t defend, don’t want him Kasparas - can shoot and handle the ball; a fine pick at #10, mildly excited. Essengue - raw project who can’t shoot, don’t want him Coward - doesn’t have JWill’s handles, but I buy the shooting and defense; a fine pick at #10, mildly excited. Bryant - Can defend and presumably shoot; a fine pick at #10, mildly excited CMB - can defend, dribble, pass, rebound and elite IQ; a fine pick at #10, mildly excited Richardson - can shoot it, but too small; measured just 6 feet. Do not want. Fleming - can’t dribble but can defend and shoot. Potentially a reach at #10 but I can live with it. Queen, allstar caliber offensive upside, the defense is bad. Better chance he shoots it than Sengun. If he’s available he’s likely BPA. Terrible fit with Houston. I have Walter Clayton Jr in my top 14 because he’s one of the best deep shooters in the draft (and 2 inches taller than Richardson). Probably a reach at #10 but excellent trade-back candidate.
I'm sort of glad that Phoenix can be charged with finding the 19-year-old who can break out here. While there are guys with upside, we won't know which of these players makes it until 2027–28.
