3 Tempting prospects Rockets must desperately resist drafting

As the Houston Rockets look to build off their success from the last two seasons, the lure to make a big trade, probably utilizing the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, could be too good to pass up. However, if one doesn't materialize ahead of draft day, the Rockets are going to have no other option than to make a selection that makes the most sense for the team heading into the future.

While there are going to be several different ways the Rockets could approach making this selection in a relatively deep draft, there are a few prospects that could be considered tempting risks that the team should absolutely avoid. As we inch closer to decision day for the Rockets (and the rest of the league with a pick in the NBA Draft), let's dig deeper into three appealing draft prospects the team should completely avoid selecting.

Cedric Coward

Over the last few weeks, Cedric Coward has emerged as one of the bigger risers on NBA Draft boards. As a player with supreme talent, it's easy to see why teams are beginning to fall in love with Coward's potential as he makes the leap to the NBA. Coward could very well develop into a strong two-way player, and potentially a star in the future. However, as a player who will need time to grow into that level of talent, the Rockets are probably not a good fit.

First, the Rockets' wing rotation is already pretty cluttered. Adding Coward, who would not be a day one contributor, would only cloud the future of many players on this team. Plus, the Rockets, if they want to emerge as a better team next season, need this asset to contribute next year - whether that's by selecting a contributor at No. 10 or trading the pick for a veteran.

Coward has shown signs of promise, but he's not necessarily considered a player many expect to break into the rotation immediately. With Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason all on the books for next season, I can't see how Coward, though talented with plenty of upside, would fit on the Rockets.

Jeremiah Fears

While the argument can be made that if Jeremiah Fears falls to the Rockets at No. 10 that they shouldn't hesitate to make the selection, I'm not sure if this would be a great fit. Not necessarily from a basketball perspective, but more so from an overall standpoint of where the Rockets are in their build.

Heading into next season, the Rockets will be looking to make the leap into contention. Fears, for all intents and purposes, is a player who's going to need time to develop. And if he's going to develop, that's largely going to come through trial and error with the ball in his hands. If Houston wants to compete for a championship next season, I can't envision a scenario where Fears plays a big role for the team while also developing.

Fears is a talented player, but he's not ready for the level of role the Rockets would need him to play. I'd imagine Fears would be better suited on a team that can afford to make mistakes. One that can afford to put the ball in his hands and one that could let him learn on the fly. The Rockets are not that team. They may have been one year ago, but not anymore. An extremely talented player, Fears and the Rockets may not be a great pairing, no matter how appealing it may be to draft him with the No. 10 pick in the draft.

Derik Queen

As the Rockets explore prospects who could be worth the gamble at No. 10, Derik Queen, if he's still on the board, is another tempting option they should pass up on. With Alperen Sengun already on the roster, I'm not sure if Queen, as another offensive-minded big, would make the most sense for what the Rockets are attempting to build moving forward.

I don't think Houston should shut down the idea of drafting a big man, but Queen may not be the best fit next to Sengun. If Khaman Maluach is still on the board, the Rockets should roll the dice. Queen, on the other hand, could be considered too much of a replication of talent. Even though Queen might be considered the most polished offensive big man in this draft class, he's too similar of a player to Sengun.

This is the type of selection that would make sense if the Rockets traded Sengun, but there's no indication that's going to happen by the NBA Draft. Without that guarantee, it would be foolish for the Rockets to select a player who is so similar to Sengun. Queen could very well be a great player down the line, but he's probably not a natural fit for Houston.