Houston Rockets Draft Prospect Series: Gary Payton II

Without any picks in the first round of NBA’s 2016 Draft, the Houston Rockets will have to dig deep if they want to find any worthy talent in the second round. However as history has proven the Texan team has had quite a lot of success in selecting such players. Such was the case with Chandler Parsons and Cuttino Mobley. Is there any chance the son of the Seattle Sonics legend, the late bloomer Gary Payton II will be the next player under such conditions to thrive in Houston? We’d like to think so!

Draft Prospect

Intro

In the wake of the success that sons of legendary players are currently enjoying in the NBA, Gary Payton II hopes to be the next one to flourish with more than his father’s name. About to turn 24 years old in December if he is to succeed in the league, Gary Payton II needs playing time right now.

And although he does possess the pedigree, the question remains: Could he be the next Stephen Curry or will he become just another version of Glenn Robinson III?

Specifics

(as per NBA draft combine)

Height: 6’3″
Weight: 184 lbs
Country: USA
Position: Point Guard
Age: 23
Reach: 8’3″
Wingspan: 6.8″
College or Pro League: Oregon State, Senior
Stat line: 31 Games, 16.0 Points Per Game, 7.9 Rebounds Per Game, 5.0 Assists Per Game, 2.5 Steals Per Game, 31.9 3P%, 48.3 FG%, 64.7 FT%

Current Rank:

Draft Express: 48

The Skills

A formidable defender and an incredibly physical player, Gary Payton II is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft. A late bloomer that has risen to relevance in the last year or so, Payton is being overlooked by most Mock Drafts as a late second rounder due to his advanced age.

Any team with his sights set on the defensive machine that is Payton II must be ready to give the young man some minutes right now.

A solid ball handler and above average play maker the son of the Sonics legend is a player that could fill the stat sheet in every category if he’s successful in his jump to the NBA.

He is able to crash the boards (averaged 7 rebounds per game, great for a PG), steal the ball (as his father) and pass it consistently.

Honors and Awards

2x First Team All-Pac-12 (2015, 2016)

2x Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016)

2x Pac-12 All-Defensive Team (2015, 2016)

Bob Cousy Award Finalist (2016)

The Fit

The Oregon State point guard can be a great addition to a Houston Rockets team desperate for a backup to guard Patrick Beverley.

And even if the jury is still out regarding his shot selection and lack of a reliable jump shot, Payton II could even be an upgrade to the injury prone Beverley.

An overwhelming defender, Payton still has a lot of room for growth, and if given the time and opportunity in the league Gary Payton II, could have all the tools required to blossom in the league: Great mentality, basketball I.Q. and a father willing to pull out all the stops to push him to stardom.

Final Thoughts

More from Space City Scoop

It’s tough to say whether the Rockets will be interested in Gary Payton II but he’ll probably be available when the Texan team make their selections, whether it’s at 37 or 42, the most likely scenarios for Payton have him picked later than that.

Now the Rockets already had an opportunity last year to select a young point guard in the first round and went the opposite way selecting Sam Dekker. Therefore I’m not sure Morey will go for an older point guard in the late second round, that is of course unless he impresses the team in the coming weeks.

Morey though is short on the PG department with only Patrick Beverley and the veteran Jason Terry, so taking Payton might be somewhat of a coup even if there’s already anything in motion to sign a seasoned and talented PG via trade or free agency.

But that’s only if Morey learned anything with the Lawson failed experiment last year… otherwise I fear H-town might have to start the year with Andrew Goudelock playing over 20 minutes at the point.

Next: Houston Rockets Finalizing Deal With Mike D'Antoni

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