Rockets tried to buy 2nd round pick: Who was on their radar?

Who would have the Rockets wanted to have the rights to?
Why did they not select him with the 54th?

My guess is Novica Velickovic (very poor man's Shane Battier).
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Novica-Velickovic-5141/

Honestly, i have no idea, I'm just intrigued as to who they wanted.

Nevertheless, I'm still happy with the draft. Dorsey seems to be a very likable guy while Greene brings hope for the future. Great value for all the picks.


http://www.clutchfans.net/news/1478/video_rockets_calling_on_the_48th_pick/

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008 11:32 PM CST
By Clutch
Copyright 2008 ClutchFans.net
Video: Rockets calling on the 48th pick?
The Rockets made a couple of draft night deals, but that doesn't mean they didn't try to do a few more.

The Phoenix Suns released a video from inside the Suns "War Room" on Draft night, and it shows Suns VP of basketball operations David Griffin fielding a trade call from Rockets VP of basketball operations Sam Hinkie and GM Daryl Morey.

The Rockets were attempting to buy the Suns second round pick at #48. Phoenix instead was looking to get a future second rounder for it, and thus no deal was worked out.

Still, it begs the question: Who were the Rockets targeting?

Alabama forward Richard Hendrix went 49th and I heard they were impressed by him, but then again, there were numerous prospects (such as Joey Dorsey) that I had not heard a peep about.

I asked a Rockets official about the Suns video and it was made clear to me that yes, the Rockets had inquired with multiple teams about trying to buy a second round pick, but they were targeting "all International players".

Hmm, the only International player that went between 48 and 54 (where the Rockets took Maarty Leunen) was 6-foot-9 Serbian forward Tadija Dragicevic, who went to Utah at 53.

Nope, not him -- the Rockets had someone else in mind.

"Quite a few international draft-eligible players went undrafted that we would not mind holding the rights to," we were told.