NBA Draft: 3 lottery players the Rockets should trade up to take

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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats attempts a jump shot against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The newest rumors indicate that the Rockets are interested in trading up into the lottery. Who should they consider taking if they successfully pull that off?

The Rockets haven’t taken a player in the first round since Sam Dekker in 2016. They also haven’t taken a lottery pick since 2011 with Marcus Morris. For a franchise that has consistently been at least above average, falling into the lottery is a rarity.

The Rockets, though, are now reportedly looking to move into the middle of the lottery for tomorrow night’s draft. This news comes from Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders:

Some Draft Scuttle from@New York – The Houston Rockets apparently are exploring a trade that would get them a mid-lottery pick. Rockets apparently tried to get players in for workouts yesterday and today.

— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 20, 2018

If they do successfully move up in the draft, it will come at a steep cost. Eric Gordon is one player that could be included in a package to make this deal happen.

Who would the Rockets look to pick? Kyler mentioned that the team has brought players in for workouts, so maybe they won’t try to flip this pick in a potential LeBron James or Paul George trade. They seem genuinely interested in some of the players from this unusually deep draft.

Let’s look at a few potential picks for the Rockets based on who is projected to be available in the middle of the lottery:

Next: Prospect No. 1