Houston Rockets: 3 late-round possibilities in the 2021 NBA Draft

There has been a lot of talk about who the Houston Rockets could potentially draft if they land one of the four lottery picks. When your team has the worst record in the league, there isn’t a lot of game-to-game analysis you can do at the close to the end of the season.

The Rockets have had more starting lineups than any team in the league this season, and that number will probably continue to go up. With so many injuries and so many losses, fans have had to look to the upcoming draft for hope regarding the team.

Of course, the Rockets are first and foremost looking at the top of the draft, and players like Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley are the consensus top-two picks.

3 late-round possibilities for Houston Rockets in the 2021 NBA Draft

However, there is more to this draft than the lottery, and the Rockets will be a big part of the middle part of the draft. With the possibility of two picks later in the first round, the Rockets have a chance to add impact players regardless of if they land a lottery pick.

As of this writing the Houston Rockets still own the Portland Trail Blazers’ pick, which is lottery-protected, and a pick swap with the Milwaukee Bucks.

With that being said, let’s take a look at three players the Rockets could target with their two later first-round picks.

Next: No. 3

3. Jalen Johnson

NBA Comparison: Tobias Harris

The Duke freshman was the standout star for the Blue Devils in their opening game vs. Coppin State. The 6-foot-9 small forward had a career game for most players in his first game.

Johnson scored 19 points while pulling down 19 rebounds in the win over the Eagles. After this game, expectations were high for Johnson, as it seemed like he would be the next great Duke player.

Unfortunately, a foot injury a few games into the season derailed Johnson’s early progress. But Johnson came back, and two games after his return put up a season-high 24 points vs. the Pittsburgh Panthers.

As you can see in the below video, Johnson has a great all-around game. He has great size, court vision, and strength finishing at the rim.

Johnson is also a good weakside shot blocker and at his size he can guard multiple positions. I am sure you wonder why someone with this much talent and potential would be on the board this late in the draft.

Johnson will probably still be on the board because he left Duke halfway through the season to prepare for the NBA Draft.

At the time, it was a hot topic on whether Johnson quit on the team or was doing what was best for his career. A lot of draft experts are saying this is the reason why Johnson is falling in most mock drafts.

This would play into the Houston Rockets’ favor because the Rockets could get a lottery talent outside the lottery. Of course, it’s a small sample size, and you would be basing your pick on potential, not necessarily a lot of game tape.

Johnson wasn’t a high-volume 3-point shooter, so his outside shooting is still a question mark as well, but you can see the skills and how he could affect the game in multiple areas. This is what makes Johnson so appealing.

Next: No. 2

2. Kai Jones

NBA Comparison: Jaren Jackson Jr.

Kai Jones, the 6-foot-11 power forward/center out of the University of Texas is one of the most athletic big men in this year’s draft. Jones has elite foot speed for a big man and can finish above the rim in the paint.

With his length and speed, he can switch onto smaller guards and has the ability to stay in front of them. As you see in the below clip, Jones has elite athleticism and an improved jump shot.

Jones also has good enough ball-handling skills to beat bigger players off the dribble or beat them down the court on a fast break. The extra year at Texas helped Jones improve across the board from shooting to being a more disciplined defender.

When evaluating any big in this year’s draft, you always have to evaluate how they will fit with Christian Wood. Jones improved his 3-point shooting, but it was only on a little over one attempt per game.

Even with the low attempts, Jones improved his shooting from deep by 10 percent in his sophomore year.  Jones will have to improve his rebound rate, which was low for a player with his measurables.

Jones has a slight frame like Wood, so he will have to work on it at the next level. Jones has been projected from late lottery to possibly 15 or 16, so it isn’t a guarantee he will still be on the board, but it is a possibility.

Next: No. 1

1. Ayo Dosunmu

NBA Comparison: Jrue Holiday/Dejounte Murray

Ayo Dosunmu, another name that may not jump out at you, is a junior guard out of Illinois. Dosunmu has great size at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds and has improved his scoring and 3-point shooting every year since coming into college.

Dosunmu is also a good defender with great handles who can get his own shot. Dosunmu shot 39 percent from the 3-point line as a junior and averaged over 20 points a game in the same year.

He has good court vision and can score in traffic, as seen in these highlights.

As you can see, Dosunmu has a good shooting form and tight handles, which helps him get to his spot quickly and under control.

He will need to work on consistency, as he can be a streaky player and will need to get stronger going against better competition at the NBA level. But there’s no denying that Dosunmu has the skills to be a late-round gem for the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets’ draft, of course, is centered around where they fall in the draft lottery. A top-2 pick could change the franchise and change how the Rockets draft later in the first round.

But even if the Houston Rockets don’t get that coveted lottery pick, there is still plenty of talent in the middle and bottom of the first round.