NBA Draft 2013: Rockets Looking Overseas

Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

With the NBA Draft approaching next Thursday, the Houston Rockets have a limited window to make some deals. Of course the Rockets are in the Hunt for Howard (R), and making the necessary cap room to pay Howard is under way.

ESPN’s Marc Stein tweeted yesterday that the Rockets have been offered a first-round pick for Robinson, himself a No. 5 selection last summer. From there, Houston would be expected to take an international talent to stash overseas for the year and avoid the cap hit. Basically, they’d be freeing up an extra $3.5 million that was owed to Robinson without adding anything in return. According to Stein, they have interest in Giannis Adetokunbo, Rudy Gobert, Lucas Nogueira, Sergey Karasev and Dennis Schroeder.

So who are these guys? And when will see them?

Here is a link to what you can expect from Lucas “Bebe” Nogueria. “Bebe” is a definite 7-footer even if you don’t count his huge afro. But only weighing 220 shows he will need to be held prisoner in a weight room before he is ready to play major minutes. Overall it is his length and speed that teams will covet.

For Rockets fans looking for a little Hakeem Olajuwon nostalgia there is Giannis Adetokunbo. Nothing says NBA, like a 6′,9″, 18 year old Nigerian that lives in Greece. He still hasn’t reached his full potential as an athlete, and has been likened to Nicolas Batum. The Rockets drafted Batum in the 1st round (25th pick) of the 2008 NBA Draft.

On draft day Batum was part of a 3-team trade, traded by the Houston Rockets to the Portland Trail Blazers; the Memphis Grizzlies traded Donte Greene and a 2009 2nd round draft pick (Sam Young) to the Houston Rockets; the Portland Trail Blazers traded Joey Dorsey to the Houston Rockets; and the Portland Trail Blazers traded Darrell Arthur to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Remember Donte Greene, and Joey Dorsey?

Here is a look at Giannis. Early in the video a teammate says Giannis could be the next Kevin Durant. Let that marinate.

More on Sergey Karasev, Dennis Schroeder and Rudy Gobert during the week!