The Houston Rockets made significant moves in the 2023 NBA Draft. They acquired two promising rookies in Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. These additions are expected to bring much-needed athleticism to the team. While the Rockets' draft choices received positive feedback overall, there is a question that casts a shadow over their endeavors. This article delves into the Rockets' draft strategy, explores their standout picks, and examines the potential consequences of this potential mistake.

Remember that despite the positive reception surrounding the Rockets' draft choices, there remains a question that lingers over their endeavors. While their selections received acclaim, the potential mistake lies in the uncertainty surrounding their draft strategy and the possibilities they might have missed out on.

Promising Picks

First, let's break down the Rockets' picks. Amen Thompson emerges as a standout selection for the Rockets. Hailing from Overtime Elite, Thompson had already showcased his abilities and garnered attention with his remarkable athleticism and scoring prowess. The Rockets recognized his potential as a game-changer, possessing the agility and explosiveness to attack the rim and create scoring opportunities. His speed, agility, and ability to finish at the rim, make Thompson a dynamic playmaker who could contribute immediately.

On the other hand, Cam Whitmore brings a unique skill set and versatility to the Rockets' roster. As a forward who had honed his skills at Villanova, Whitmore displays promising potential as a multifaceted player. His ability to guard multiple positions and provide energy on the defensive end adds depth and flexibility to the Rockets' lineup.

Take note that the Rockets' selections in the 2023 NBA Draft garnered significant praise and positive evaluations from various sources. This reinforced the notion that they made commendable choices to strengthen their roster. We even gave them high grades for their decision to pick Thompson and Whitmore. They surely bolstered their youthful and athletic lineup even further.

That said, could the Rockets have done more on draft night?

The Rockets Missed Out?

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The Houston Rockets invested heavily into Fred VanVleet during the 2023 offseason. Houston gave the point guard a three-year, $128 million deal in a move that was meant to turn the Rockets from a rebuilding team into a championship contending one. The signing did just that, as the Rockets finished the 2024-25 regular season as the two-seed in a stacked Western Conference. VanVleet was the veteran presence and 3-point shooter that the team desperately needed, and he still might have a role with the Rockets going forward. Houston has a team option on his contract for next year, and they very well may pick it up. The Wichita State product reportedly wants to stay in Houston, but the point guard would be set to make over $44 million next season under his current contract. The Rockets and their guard recently pushed back the deadline on Houston's decision with VanVleet, and although reports suggest that they are interested in writing up a new, long-term deal, it isn't necessarily a guarantee that VanVleet will be playing for Houston next year. The Rockets blew him away with an offer he couldn't refuse back in 2023, and another team could so the same when/if he hits the open market this offseason. If VanVleet does become an unrestricted free agent, which teams outside of Houston would make the most sense for him to sign with? 1. Orlando Magic Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner recently signed big deals with the Orlando Magic, and Paolo Banchero will be getting a mega contract extension here soon. Because of that, the Magic no longer have money to blow like they have had in recent years. That will make a deal for another big ticket free agent hard to pull off, especially considering the team signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope last year. If Orlando can make the money work, though, then Fred VanVleet would be a great fit with the Magic. The Magic finished dead last in 3-point shooting this season, and VanVleet has made at least 2.5 deep balls per game in every season since 2018-19. VanVleet can hit shots form behind the arc off of the bounce or in catch-and-shoot situations. The Rockets were heavily reliant on his shooting expertise, so the guard would have plenty of familiarity getting up deep shots with high volume if he signed with the Magic. While undersized, VanVleet is a pesky defender, so he'd fit right in with a Magic team that has one of the best defensive units in the league. VanVleet could play alongside Suggs and give opposing teams fits. Ultimately, though, the Magic just need more shooting to get to the next level, and VanVleet is arguably the best shooter who could be available on the open market this offseason. 2. Brooklyn Nets A more realistic option for a VanVleet destination would be the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are set up to have the most cap space this offseason, and they have a major need at point guard. With D'Angelo Russell and De'Anthony Melton hitting free agency this offseason, the Nets don't have a true point guard under contract for next season. Brooklyn needs to spend big this offseason, and they'd be smart to offer VanVleet a contract big enough that he'd have no choice but to leave Houston. VanVleet averaged 14.1 points per game last season, which was his lowest mark since 2018-19. He is trending the wrong way, but he still has enough left in the tank to give the Nets a few good seasons. 3. Portland Trail Blazers In the same way that the Rockets were looking to take the next step in 2023, the Portland Trail Blazers could use VanVleet's presence to get over the hump. The Trail Blazers have plenty of big man depth, as centers Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams, and Duop Death are all under contract next season. Portland also has a lot of wing depth. Deni Advija started to look like a star late this past season, Toumani Camara is an elite defender, Shaedon Sharpe is a freakish athlete, and Jerami Grant is a proven scorer. The team is thinner in the backcourt, though. Anfernee Simons is a solid scorer, but Scoot Henderson has looked like a fringe draft bust since being drafted third overall. Portland shouldn't give up on Henderson completely, but there wouldn't be any harm in signing another guard. Like the Magic, the Blazers were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. VanVleet would improve that weakness, and in a stacked Western Conference, Portland needs all of the help they can get if they are to compete for a playoff spot.
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Let's dive into the Rockets' draft strategy to gain a deeper understanding of their decision-making process. Leading up to the draft, the Rockets actively explored trade possibilities to potentially move up from their No. 20 pick. They recognized the value of acquiring a higher position to secure a player they had targeted, aiming to make a substantial impact on their roster. However, despite their efforts, the team encountered challenges in striking a deal. They ultimately missed out on moving up. This left them without the desired trade outcome. This missed opportunity potentially deprived the Rockets of adding a player who could have been a perfect fit for their vision of the team's future.

Furthermore, the Rockets were unable to secure either Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller. Both were widely regarded among the high-upside prospects in the draft. However, they managed to salvage their draft to some extent by making an astute selection with the No. 4 pick. The Rockets chose Amen Thompson, whose exceptional skills and potential offered a silver lining for the Rockets.

Still, had the Rockets moved up, maybe they would have added someone like Jarace Walker or even Taylor Hendricks to their roster. It seems like they may have more upside than Whitmore.

Overall, the Rockets' draft choices garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from experts and analysts. Their picks can position them as a team on the rise in the Western Conference. The recognition and high draft grades bestowed upon the Rockets validate the belief that their selections in the 2023 NBA Draft were both strategic and beneficial. This promises a pretty solid foundation for future success.

Looking Ahead

After a disappointing 2022-2023 NBA season with one of the league's worst records, the Rockets are eager to turn things around. Armed with the No. 4 and No. 20 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, the team made calculated choices by selecting Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. We expect both of them to bring athleticism and attacking prowess to the Rockets. However, for the team to regain competitiveness, it becomes crucial to consolidate their young talent and acquire seasoned veterans. Additionally, bolstering their rim protection should be a priority. Led by Jalen Green, last season's leading scorer, the Rockets look to make significant strides under the guidance of new head coach Ime Udoka.

Now, while the Rockets' draft choices earned praise, failing to secure targeted trades and missing out on highly touted prospects looms over their otherwise positive endeavors. Now they must make more careful adjustments and strategic moves in free agency to shore up their depth chart. Only time will tell if the Rockets can leave their bottom-dwelling days behind and soar toward a more promising future in the upcoming season.