3 players that would be a perfect fit for the Houston Rockets at 23 or 24

With the NBA draft lottery now in the books, the Houston Rockets finally have clarity in the upcoming NBA draft. While fans are not in agreement on who should go at number two, the Rockets front office will be busy zeroing in on a few players at the top of the draft. However, there are even more question marks concerning the back end of the first round.

For the first time in almost a decade, the Rockets will be major players in an NBA draft. They will not only have the number two overall pick but also picks 23 and 24.

Who the Rockets will select at number two is still up in the air as most teams don’t make that decision almost a month out from a draft, especially when you don’t have the first overall pick. Once you get toward the bottom of the draft, deciding who to pick is even more difficult because you never know who teams in front of you will select.

The good thing about this draft is that it is one of the deepest drafts in a while, and there is value from the first pick all the way into the second round. In every draft, there is at least one player selected far earlier than anticipated and another who falls unexpectedly. Here are three players who would be excellent choices with either the 23rd or 24th picks in this year’s draft if they are still on the board.

Next: Prospect No. 3

Houston Rockets NBA Draft pick no. 23 or 24: Trey Murphy III

NBA comparison: Jae Crowder

The small forward out of Virginia played his first two years at Rice and has shot up the draft boards in recent weeks. Trey Murphy went from second-round pick just a few months ago to now firmly in the first round. Murphy is a stretch four or small forward who is 6 ft 9 with a 7 ft 1 wingspan.

With his height and length, Murphy excels on the defensive end but also is one of the best shooters in the draft. Murphy not only shot 43.3-percent from 3-point range with the Cavaliers last year, but he is one of only 11 players to be part of the 50-40-90 club in NCAA history. In today’s era of basketball, Murphy would fit in perfectly as a small-ball four who can guard multiple positions on the court, especially with more and more teams switching on almost every possession.

Murphy was a late bloomer when it comes to his current height, meaning he still has time to fill out his frame, which will make it easier to defend the larger forwards in the NBA. With elite shooting and great defensive instincts, Murphy can fit into any offense or defense without having to have the ball in his hand or help sent his way on defense.

Next: Prospect No. 2

Houston Rockets NBA Draft pick no. 23 or 24: Tre Mann

NBA Comparison: Devin Harris, Jordan Poole

The former McDonald’s All American bounced back in his sophomore year after having a down freshman year. Tree Mann shot over 40-percent from downtown and averaged over 16 points a game for the University of Florida Gators.

Mann has good size at 6 ft 5 (having grown two inches this past year) and uses that size well around the rim and guarding out on the perimeter. Mann showed dramatic improvement from his freshman year to sophomore year as a shooter, passer, and scorer around the basket. When looking at potential draft picks, you want to see growth, either from the beginning of a season to the end or from their freshman year on, and Mann showed that improvement as a sophomore.

Mann may not have elite bounce or athleticism (which is why he is not a lottery pick), but he does have a great grasp of the game and knows how to play the angles, which is why even with that lack of explosiveness, he is still able to get to his spots on the court and score with ease. Mann, having grown so recently, might also experience a late boost in athleticism as he fills into his body. In addition, Mann has one of the best shooting strokes in the draft, which should transfer to the next level.

Next: Prospect No. 1

Houston Rockets NBA Draft pick no. 23 or 24: Miles (Deuce) McBride

NBA Comparison: Marcus Smart

Miles “Deuce” McBride is another player that has shot up the draft boards in the last few weeks. The agile sharpshooting guard out of West Virginia improved his draft stock after a strong sophomore year, where he averaged 15.8 points while shooting 41.4-percent from 3-point range.

McBride can be streaky at times, but when he gets it going can be a dynamic offensive threat, as shown by his January 4th performance vs. Cade Cunnigham and Oklahoma State when he put up 12 points in the last four minutes to help secure a big win for the Mountaineers.

McBride is not only a good shooter and tenacious going to the basket, but he is also a good on-ball defender that seems to thrive when taking on the opposing team’s best guard. As mentioned, early his sometimes streaky shooting and average playmaking skills are why he isn’t viewed as a lottery pick, but McBride would be a steal at 23 or 24 for the Rockets even with those weaknesses.

The top of the draft may be getting most of the attention, which is to be expected, but if you look at the draft as a whole, especially for the Rockets, the real intrigue is at the 23rd and 24th picks. Will the Rockets even keep the picks? If they do keep them, will their selection at number two change their thinking for their later picks?

As you see, there are plenty of questions to be answered, and the next month will begin to bring some clarity. As a side note for Rockets Twitter, with all due respect to the (Jalen) Green Gang, the Rockets absolutely should draft Evan Mobley