I would use 2 of the 3 picks to draft players and use the other in trade. Rockets need a young veteran player. I would trade EG, House and #23 or #24 for Myles Turner or use Olynk, House and one of the lower pics in a Sign and Trade.
Couple Thoughts: Center position - I think the needs to this position depends. If you're playing Jokic/Embiid you better have someone that is at least 6'10/11, 230/240 lbs can can hit the 3. If not, they'll get easy shots in the paint and also crowd the paint on defense. However, if Steph Curry the best player you're playing against, you're more likely to succeed if you have a switchable 5 type. If you feel like Mobley can gain weight and develop offensively, he's your guy (although I have Cade and Jalen way ahead of him). Otherwise, I'd pick a Bassey or sign some rotational level player. BJ Boston - This guy is a prime candidate to increase his stock drastically. Down year in Kentucky, but was a top 5 recruit. The measurements are there. At least one team will probably grab him earlier than expected (35-45 currently). I would not be upset if he kills during interviews/work-outs and we draft him with the 23/24th pick. Isaiah Todd- 6'10 with 7'0 wingspan that shot 36% 3s. Can face up and is athletic. Played well in G-league. His current stock is low (35-40) - maybe because he will be 20 in October? Honestly I have no clue if he'll get drafted in the 1st round or go undrafted. If he slides, I would definitely take a chance on this guy. Jared Butler - I like him as a player, but is he worth the 18th pick? We have KPJ as our PG and I don't see all-star potential from Butler. I can't see him get minutes with Wall + KPJ and he's relatively older. He reminds me of a taller/skinnier Jalen Brunson. I would rather swing for the fences and get a higher potential player
Forgot to mention - another guy I'm intrigued about is Tre Mann. He grew a couple inches and is now 6'5 (wingspan?). Basically a combo guard with good PG skills. 40% 3 point shooter that can create off the dribble and makes it looks effortlessly. Just reminds me of a young Booker. Needs to improve defense/body, but I'd be happy with this guy at 23/24 as well.
Rockets need longer more switchable defenders. Drop coverage and/or zone defense is fine for regular season accolades. But championships are won by teams that can switch everything at elite levels. Nets embarrassing the Bucks in playoffs, by forcing them to play iso, with their sticky switches is proof positive of this. https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-playoffs-how-the-bucks-are-playing-into-the-nets-hands/
Agreed but there is something to be said about running drop on close PNR actions to bait the mid range. I think the big that is the most dynamic defender is Garuba. He literally can run any PNR action. He rim runs with the best of them with an insanely high motor. Is a lob threat and is somewhat comfortable making decisions out of the roll. He’d be our version of draymond.
You cannot play drop coverage vs. elite offensive teams like Nets, GSW, Lakers, Hawks, Suns, Clips, Nuggets, Blazers, etc. Garuba is nice but I think Scottie Barnes and Kai Jones will be better. And Mobley is best all around defender in this draft by a long shot.
I've watched him a lot these 2 years and Garuba is perfect for this team and for any rebuilding situation. He's extremely dynamic, versatile and intense. Unfortunately by no means will he be available at 23.
It will obviously hurt to have wasted a season specifically for this chance at a top pick. But, even if they lose the selection, the Rockets are going to have a chance to add a quality player or 3 given the depth of this draft. Everybody would be happier with Cade, Mobley, Green or Suggs but if they miss out on that chance then I would bet they will consolidate their picks to move up or take 3 shots at potential guys (Ziare Williams, BJ Boston and Greg Brown maybe?). A quick turnaround does require this pick to stay put but it doesnt preclude the Rockets moving in the right direction.
Right now my perfect draft has Cade coming to the H with the first pick and then Jaden Springer and Usman Garuba with picks 23 & 24. Springer is the perfect compliment to KPJ as a 3&D combo guard. Having Cade as a point forward would allow the Rockets to function without a traditional point guard so neither KPJ nor Springer would have to play that role. Garuba fits in as a 4 or a small ball 5 so the Rockets could be flexible with Wood moving forward. I would love to add some prospects in round 2 but a guy I think the Rockets could sign as an UDFA is Joe Wieskamp to be a Duncan Robinson type off the bench. At 6'6''/210 with a 7' wingspan he isnt the typical 3 point specialist (though he shot 41% on 5 attempts per game in 3 years at Iowa).
Either Springer or Butler. I really like Wieskamp. He is a great rebounder too for his size. Bouncy! like to add Queta as second round/UDFA.
I'm not focused on right now. Springer is 18, he will get much better. Can't say the same thing about Thomas or Gordan. Who would you rather have on this team Springer, Thomas or EG?
I actually like Springer. And Keon Johnson. And Duarte. Because they are tough defenders. And I've been beating the drum to improve our switch defense. But Rockets need to get much longer to do that. Khyri, Nwaba, Tate and even KJ are more than enough defenders on team 6'5 and under. Need few more players taller than 6'6 who can lock it down.
] That's where guys like Garuba, Scottie Lewis and maybe someone like EJ Onu (props to you for finding that cat) come in. And I mentioned Wieskamp above too. All of these guys (except Garuba) would be RGV bound next season but could come up or be on the roster in 22/23.
EGo + 24th overall to DEN for AG. Or trade EGo + 23 and move up to 18 - draft 6'11 Kai Jones, 6'9 Jalen Johnson or 6'10 Isaiah Jackson. Porter/Wall Khyri/Snipa AG/KJ Mobley/Tate/FRP Wood/Olynyk Trade House & Augustin for SRP. Draft 6'10 Vrenz Bleijenbergh and 6'5 Scottie Lewis or 6'3 Bones Hyland and 7'1 EJ Onu. https://celticswire.usatoday.com/20...out-ej-onu-potential-sleeper-stretch-big-man/ As tracked by RealGM, Onu averaged 16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per contest last season. He also connected on 57.3% of his field-goal attempts overall and 40% of his nearly four three-point attempts per game. https://heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/ej-onu-predraft-workout/
