2025 NBA Mock Draft: Rockets make best possible choice in newest mock

The Houston Rockets have been busy making lemonade for the last few years, whether the NBA has handed them lemons or not.

That's not to complain about their lottery luck. The Rockets have missed out on the biggest prizes, but they've done well in the draft. That said, if they hadn't made a habit of making mid-round steals, we'd be talking about them quite differently.

Alperen Sengun was a god-send in 2021. Tari Eason has far exceeded the 17th overall pick Houston used on him in 2022. Cam Whitmore's future with the team is in peril, but he's more talented than a typical 20th overall pick. The Rockets have made the most of the draft, and unless they trade the pick, they'll aim to do the same this summer.

ESPN has them taking a swing on someone with star potential.

Rockets make smart choice in newest mock

They have them taking Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis.

He's one of the most intriguing players in this class. Jakucionis is a 6'6" playmaker who can slide into either guard spot. He averaged an impressive 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game for Illinois this season.

Jakucionis is arguably the best passer in this class. He's also a crafty ball-handler who can use his positional size to score at the rim. He's tough and competitive on defense.

Jakucionis isn't a perfect prospect. He shot just 31.8% from deep this year. Jakucionis is also a limited athlete. There are concerns that his lack of burst could hinder him at the NBA level.

If he's on the board, the Rockets should take him anyway.

Rockets should swing on Jakucionis' upside

Let's talk about the Rockets.

This team is stacked with exciting young players. Yet, they still don't have a player that they can confidently say is their franchise player. Some will point to Alperen Sengun. He's a remarkable talent, but he'll need to be paired with a premier perimeter talent to get the most out of his skill set.

Nobody can say for sure that Jakucionis is that guy, but he's got the potential to be. One can't help but recall another big point guard with prodigious passing vision who was passed on in the draft because he wasn't bursty. He wears the number 77, and he was inexplicably traded to the Lakers this year.

Jakucionis isn't likely to reach Luka Doncic levels, but his upside is high. Moreover, the notion that the Rockets "don't need" more young talent is fallacious. If they want to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and make a hard directional change, that's fine. Otherwise, passing on a potential star to add a solid veteran is bad business.

The Rockets aren't done making lemonade yet.