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2016 Houston Rockets Draft Prospect Series: Marquese Chriss, Washington

By Tamberlyn Richardson

March 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Huskies forward Marquese Chriss (0) and Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) fight for the rebound during the first half of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Huskies forward Marquese Chriss (0) and Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) fight for the rebound during the first half of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Rockets enter the upcoming 2016 NBA Draft without a top draft pick by virtue of making the post season. Unfettered the Rockets still hope to nab a star prospect with the potential to effect immediate results.  Over the next month SCS will look at the draft prospects   with a view to team fit and what moves would need to occur to get that pick. Is Marquese Chriss a prospect worth trading for?

Draft Prospect:

Specifics:

  • Height: 6’10”
  • Weight: 233
  • Country: America – Sacramento, CA
  • Position: Power Forward
  • Age: 18
  • Reach: 8’9″
  • Wingspan: 7’0″
  • College or Pro League: Washington, Freshman
  • Stat line: 34 Games, 13.8 Points Per Game, 5.4 Rebounds Per Game, 0.8 Assists Per Game

Current Rank:

ESPN Chad Ford: 8th

 

Draft Express: 13th

NBA Scott Howard Cooper:13th

Bleacher Report: 12th

The Skills:

Ford lists his top assets as defending and leaping.

Marquese Chriss is young at 18 and has a huge ceiling. He is a shot blocker who can defend, but he also boasts the ability to step out and hit the 3-point shot.

With the league all desirous of power forwards who can spread the floor Chriss offers that and then some.

Sure he needs to work on things like composure and not taking silly fouls (he fouled out of 15 of the 34 games he played) but his upside is so huge.  He’ll also need to improve on the glass, but again he’s 18!

Ranked as high as 8th, but generally a consensus 12 to 13 pick watch to see if Chris is one of those players who climbs higher up the ladder as teams recognize his upside.

Notably the Raptors who ended up with the 9th pick and are desperate for a power forward with range may be one of those teams who lock in on Chriss though the Nuggets might also take a look.

The Fit:

It’s the same argument as Bender and Ellenson, but with his ability to shoot the three if the Rockets were willing to let Chriss develop he sure would fit the system in Houston. Imagine two shot blockers (Clint Capela and Chriss) of this ilk in one front court.

Final Thoughts

More from Space City Scoop

Despite the upside of Chriss again it’s doubtful Morey would trade assets or future picks to grab a player who’ll need time in the D-League to develop. Ultimately it’s hard to imagine the Rockets trade any assets for a player who won’t step in to be a factor immediately.

Be sure to check out our continuing Draft Prospect Series and our Year End Player Reviews!

Next: SCS Roundtable Part 1?

Next: Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 2

Next: Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 3

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