Going into 2023, the bad news for the young Houston Rockets is that they have lost eight of their last nine games and are tied for the fewest wins (10) of any NBA team during the 2022-23 season.
The good news is that the 2023 NBA Draft class is widely viewed as a strong one, led by the likes of Victor Wenbanyama and Scoot Henderson, and the Rockets are now fully stocking their picks once this year’s draft takes place. It is planned to be able to control to Thursday, June 22nd.
They also have a first round selection heading from Milwaukee, who is likely near the bottom of the round. For such a non-playoff 14 team, the top four picks are determined from a weighted lottery system. From there, the remaining top 14 selections are determined by record.
Here’s a rundown of who various draft pundits have gone to Houston in the recent mock draft, along with their lottery odds.As of Monday, the Rockets (10-26) are 3 in the league had the worst record.
2022-23 NBA Standings Entering January 2023
Teams within 3 games (either direction) of Houston:
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1. Detroit, 10-29
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2. Charlotte, 10-27, 1.0 game difference (GB)
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3. Houston, 10-26, 1.5GB
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4. San Antonio, ages 12-24, 3.5 GB
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5. Orlando, 13-24, 4.0 GB
Draft lottery odds if Rockets finish third worst
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First place: 14.0%
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No. 2: 13.4%
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No. 3: 12.7%
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No. 4: 12.0%
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No. 5: 14.8%
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No. 6: 26.0%
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No. 7: 7.0%
(select odds in tankathon)
Houston’s own predictions for a 2023 first-round pick
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Jonathan Gibbony, ESPN, No. 2 Overall: Scoot Henderson (NBA G League Ignite: Guard, 18, 6-2)
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Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report, 3rd Overall: Armen Thompson (Overtime Elite: Guard, Age 19, Ages 6-6)
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Kristen Peek, Yahoo! Sports, 3rd overall: Brandon Miller (Alabama: forward, freshman, 6-9)
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Tankathon, 3rd overall: Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite: Guard, 19 years old, 6-6 years old)
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NBAdraft.net, 3rd overall: Nick Smith (Arkansas: guard, freshman, 6-5)
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Kyle Boone CBS Sports Overall 1st place: Victor Wenbanyama (France Metropolitan 92: center 18 years old 7 wins 2 losses)
Check out Tankathon’s latest 2023 NBA Draft big board for stats and extras on these prospects and beyond.
Houston expected to win 2023 first-round pick via Milwaukee
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Jonathan Gibony, ESPN, No. 28 Overall: Nikola Durišić (Serbia KK Megabasket: Wing, 18 years old, 6-8 years old)
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Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report, No. 30 Overall: Marcus Susser (Houston: Guard, Sr., 6-2)
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Kristen Peek, Yahoo! Sports, No. 30 overall: Marcus Susser (Houston: guard, senior, 6-2)
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Tankathon, 27th overall: Marcus Susser (Houston: guard, senior, 6-2)
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NBAdraft.net, No. 30 Overall: Trace Jackson-Davis (Indiana: forward, senior, 6-9)
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Kyle Boone, CBS Sports, 27th overall: Chris Livingston (Kentucky: forward, freshman, 6-6)
Check out Tankathon’s latest 2023 NBA Draft big board for stats and extras on these prospects and beyond.
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The story was originally published on Rockets Wire
