I'd be happy with this. People who are projecting to be around 20 don't excite me too much. The draft drops off after 10-11. And it's not like we need more youth or cheap contracts.
The more I think about this, the more I believe the thought process for the Rockets wrt the 20th is the following If either of Jett or Brandin is available at 20, pick him. I fear that Jett would be gone 15 ish and Brandin might get stolen by GSW though In this scenario, they might look at the draft order and pull a TyTy again, namely trade down a few spots to take in one or two 2nd If neither is available at 20, they will pull the trigger on a trade. Either Capela / Collins, or a future 1st, preferably 25/26
If we're going to trade the pick, I'd rather consolidate it with guys who aren't core parts of the youth movement (KPJ, KJ Martin, Tate, etc) and try to make some kind of sensible, unflashy trade for a solid roleplayer who fits better on the team than those guys. Hoarding assets for a future trade isn't a bad thing, but it can be carried too far.
Spoiler https://theathletic.com/4625638/2023/06/21/nba-draft-2023-prospects-college-coaches-analysis/ Cam Whitmore, 18, 6-6, W, Villanova Big East assistant coach: “Physicality will translate, and ability to get to the rim. Needs to improve from deep, but (that) can happen over time.” Jarace Walker, 19, 6-7, F, Houston AAC assistant coach: “Versatile offensive player. Capable of being an impact (player) earlier than later due to his ability to shoot the ball and his defensive versatility.” Taylor Hendricks, 19, 6-8, W/F, UCF AAC assistant coach: “Physical measurables and ability to shoot seem to project upside. Overall strength and wiry frame could be a concern. Not a dog, but not soft. Knack for blocking shots. Longer than you think. Didn’t try to do too much outside of his strengths this year, which is a strength.” Missouri Valley assistant coach: “Incredible athlete. Great skill for his size and great poise for his age. Like with most players, it depends on what system he gets to and his work ethic, but if things align, he could be a good rotational player in the NBA.” Anthony Black, 19, 6-6, G/W, Arkansas Big 12 assistant coach: “Elite athlete, excellent at going downhill. Elite defender, and over time, his shot making will continue to grow.” SEC assistant coach: “Big body (point guard) that sets the table for others. Gets downhill and can finish through contact with the best of them. Great midrange but needs to improve on the 3-ball. Gym rat with a high basketball IQ. Can post smaller guards.” Gradey Dick, 19, 6-6, W, Kansas Big 12 assistant coach No. 2: “Elite shot maker. In the NBA, you need guys that can keep the floor spaced, and he’s a guy that can make shots in multiple ways off the catch or on the move. Knows how to use his shot fake to create better looks. Shot 40 percent from 3 with 52 percent of his shots coming from behind the arc. Finished 64 percent at the rim.” Big 12 associate head coach: “Couldn’t leave him open. Great IQ, one of the best in the country. Better defender than you would think because he is great with angles defensively. Will be in the NBA for a long time with his size, IQ and shooting ability.” Dereck Lively II, 19, 7-1, C, Duke ACC assistant coach: “A player who impacts the game on the defensive end with his shot blocking and his efficiency on offense. He kept improving throughout the course of the season. He’s a lob threat at the rim and puts pressure on your defense by screening and rolling.” Cason Wallace, 19, 6-3, G, Kentucky SEC assistant coach: “Fierce competitor. Two-way player. Great defender in (one-on-one) situations. Plays the passing lanes extremely well. Three-level scorer that can get downhill and finish over defenders. Plays the right way and can play one or two in the league.” Jalen Hood-Schifino, 20, 6-4, G/W, Indiana Big Ten assistant coach: “Big fan. Very mature game for a young prospect, and has tools and skills that translate at the next level. The speed of the NBA game will be an adjustment for him, but I have faith in his abilities.” Brice Sensabaugh, 19, 6-6, W, Ohio State Big 12 associate head coach: “Elite from 3, elite with pull-ups 3s and 2s. Didn’t think he did much at the rim. Kid can go get buckets off the dribble anywhere on the floor, though. Thought he was a top-20 guy when we played them.” Big Ten assistant coach: “Talented prospect. Love his ability to score and his size. He’s still a baby, doesn’t have a great feel and doesn’t know what to do when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. … Needs to shave off some of that baby fat. I would still take him late first because his game reminds me of D-Wade.” Kobe Bufkin, 19, 6-4, G, Michigan Big Ten assistant coach: “Huge fan. I think he could immediately contribute as a solid role player. Long 6-5 combo (guard) that continued to get better.” Kris Murray, 22, 6-8, W/F, Iowa Big Ten assistant coach: “Prototypical shooting combo forward in the NBA. Does not have his brother’s iso skills or shooting off the bounce. But can definitely be a solid role player.” Jordan Hawkins, 21, 6-4, W, Connecticut SEC assistant coach: “Very skilled, versatile three-level scorer. Great shooter. An athletic guard that can play in pick-and-roll. Good defender that makes winning plays. Plays the right way and moves well without the basketball.” Noah Clowney, 18, 6-10, F/C, Alabama SEC assistant coach: “Very skilled. Great feel for the game. Only barely scratching the surface of his ability. Rim-runs well and is a great rim protector. Great rebound-per-minute guy. Has a nice touch around the basket, but can extend his range to free-throw line even 3-point line. Knows how to win and plays the right way. Potential double-double guy.” Nick Smith, 19, 6-4, G, Arkansas SEC assistant coach: “Three-level scorer that was coming off injury last season. Can play either guard spot and has a high basketball IQ. Is a gym rat with a great feel for the game. Wants to take the tough/last shot. Sneaky athletic, but needs to get stronger.” Dariq Whitehead, 18, 6-6, W, Duke ACC assistant coach No. 1: “One of the best 3-point shooters in the country. He had to adapt his game after the injuries, but I hope he can get his explosiveness back that he had when he was balling for Montverde (Academy).” ACC assistant coach No. 2: “Looks every bit of the part for sure. Shot it very well, especially against higher level completion. Duke was 9-4 when he made 2 or more 3s in games. Moved well and presented problems for talented offensive players with his length and athleticism.” Keyonte George, 19, 6-4, G, Baylor Big 12 assistant coach No. 1: “Three-level scorer. I thought he was one of the toughest guys to defend because his 3-ball release was so quick. Deep range. You had to know where he was at all times. Thought he would be a top-five pick.” Big 12 associate head coach: “Keyonte impressed me with his poise and ability to make high level shots. He didn’t have his best game, but came through down the stretch with timely shots. His skill set had NBA written all over it.” Big 12 assistant coach No. 2: “Very talented, can score on all three levels and is a better passer than people think. Now that he’s in better shape with more space, I think he can show what he can do. Shot 60 percent at the rim on limited attempts; 55 percent of his shots were 3s.”
Spoiler Olivier-Maxence Prosper, 20, 6-7, W, Marquette Big East assistant coach: “Reliable and consistent on both ends. You know he’s going to bring that consistent motor and energy on both sides of the ball.” Jaime Jaquez Jr., 22, 6-6, W, UCLA Pac-12 assistant coach: “Matchup nightmare. Would post up smaller defenders. Blew by bigger defenders. Lived at the free-throw line. Had to respect his 3-point shot. Monster rebounder. Does not get enough credit for how good of an athlete he is.” Big 12 assistant coach No. 2 coach: “Elite skills, can score in a variety of ways. Not the fastest or most athletic, but his IQ is very high. Has elite footwork and will be a mismatch problem at the next level.” Ben Sheppard, 21, 6-5, W, Belmont Missouri Valley assistant coach: “Best motor I saw all year. Excellent shooter, good size and length for a guard. How Bruce Brown (played) in the playoffs is how he could be in the league. An excellent 3-and-D guy.” Jett Howard, 19, 6-7, W, Michigan Big Ten assistant coach: “Lotto NBA talent. His physical size in person is surprising. Love his ability to be able to rise and shoot over defenders. Developing Feel for the game but I think he’s a killer. Will take 1-2 years before he really breaks out at the next level.” Marcus Sasser, 22, 6-1, G, Houston AAC assistant coach: “Him not being healthy in the conference tourney is why they didn’t win it. Plays with a swagger and confidence offensively. Has range … created his own in this league … but can he against the best players in the world? Decent ballhandler but doesn’t have it on a string. … Would rather create space for a jump shot/stepback/etc. Didn’t hunt shots as much as he could have, but was aggressive. Seems like he tried to guard and would come from a big-time culture of toughness.” Sidy Cissoko, 19, 6-6, W, G League Ignite Jason Hart, G league Ignite head coach: “His game opened me up to what European guards, with great vision and feel for the game, look like. He’s a pass-first wing that likes to pass more than score. He’s a connector, an unselfish player, with a ton of upside, as he played the whole season at 18 years old.” Gregory “G.G.” Jackson, 18, 6-8, F, South Carolina ACC assistant coach: “NBA body right now. Can make hard shots. Shot selection in question at times this year. People forget he was supposed to be a senior in high school this year.” Terquaion Smith, 20, 6-3, G, NC State ACC assistant coach: “‘Baby T’… Explosive scorer with explosive athleticism. Very good in the pick-and-roll, especially when looking to attack. Deep range, and when he gets going, he is tough to stop.” Trayce Jackson-Davis, 23, 6-8, C, Indiana Big Ten assistant coach: “I thought (Mike) Woodson did a phenomenal job with him. Forcing him to demand the ball and play hard. Prior to Woodson, TJD could disappear in games, which never made sense to me. He’s never going to make jump shots with that gross stroke, but there’s still a place for him at the next level if he can consistently play hard.” Brandin Podziemski, 20, 6-4, G/W, Santa Clara WAC associate head coach: “Great size and can really shoot it with range. Tough shot maker. Rebounds at a high level from the guard position. He has really good feel/IQ for the game that I think translates to the next level.” Amari Bailey, 19, 6-3, G, UCLA Pac-12 assistant coach: “Scorer’s mentality. Not in a selfish way, either. Hard to keep in front. Became a decent 3-point shooter. I thought he was a key piece to their success. He elevated his game towards the end of the year.” Ricky Council IV, 21, 6-5, W, Arkansas Big 12 assistant coach No. 2: “Extremely athletic. He’s a guy that is very effective from midrange and can finish around the rim. Finished at the rim 66 percent of the time. He does a very good job of getting fouled.” Jalen Wilson, 22, 6-6, W, Kansas Big 12 associate head coach: “Elite getting downhill to his right. Not a great 3-point shooter, but great at making them in big moments. Good motor/rebounder. Would be a first-rounder if not for his age.” Big 12 assistant coach No. 2: “Really smart player, tremendous doing downhill. Showed this year that he could make tough shots. Championship pedigree (and) does whatever it takes to win.”
Tate and 20 for Patty Mills 21 and 22. Take Whitmore/GG Jackson and Whitehead. Amen/KPJ Green/Whitehead/Gup Eason/KMJ Jabari/GG Sengun/Garuba Amen/KPJ Green/Whitehead Eason/Whitmore Jabari/KMJ Sengun/Garuba
