4 High-risk NBA Draft scenarios Rockets must be ready to fully embrace

After taking a significant step forward this past season, in which the Houston Rockets experienced an 11-win increase and finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference, the opportunity to make another improvement to the roster will be very evident for the team this offseason. Much of what can be realistically expected from the Rockets could play out at the 2025 NBA Draft, in which they'll have a lottery pick to use or trade for an impactful player.

With still so much uncertainty heading into the offseason and the draft specifically, the Rockets need to show some openness to creativity in how they'll approach the NBA Draft and the summer as a whole. Heading into the NBA Draft, there are four high-risk scenarios, specifically, that Houston should be willing to take a gamble on.

The Rockets should take an offensive-minded guard

Heading into the NBA Draft, taking a flier on an offensive-minded guard should be a very real option for the Rockets with the No. 10 pick. In the off-chance that the Rockets could end up trading Jalen Green away, it would make sense for the team to add some much-needed scoring depth in the backcourt.

I don't believe that the Rockets are going to trade Green, unless a superstar option becomes available. However, if it does happen, it would make sense for the Rockets to find another offensively talented guard or wing to help fill Green's void. A couple of prospects who could make sense as options for the Rockets at No. 10 are Kon Knueppel, Nique Clifford, or even Cedric Coward.

The Rockets should consider trading the pick for a veteran star

If the Rockets had it their way, I'd imagine a perfect scenario for the team heading into the NBA Draft revolves around the team trading the No. 10 overall pick for a veteran star. Houston should be willing to make that level of gamble, especially considering how they performed in the postseason this year.

Even though the Rockets were competitive in their first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, it was clear that they would've greatly benefited from a veteran star on the roster. If Houston had the luxury of a Kevin Durant or another offensive-minded star wing, the Rockets probably would have broken through the second round. That's why the Rockets should be all-in on trading the No. 10 pick for a veteran star.

The Rockets should consider trading down

If a trade for a veteran star player doesn't fully come to fruition, the Rockets may want to consider trading down from No. 10. It's a bold move that could either result in adding another veteran contributor or the addition of another future draft pick that could put the team in a better position to acquire a star player in the future.

If the Rockets don't have a trade ready to go and perhaps players like Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo get moved to another team, and if they aren't in love with a prospect still on the board when they go on the clock, Houston could benefit from trading down. It wouldn't be a popular play amongst the fan base, but it's certainly an option that the team should be willing to explore.

The Rockets should consider taking a high-ceiling big

In many respects, Alperen Sengun emerged as the most consistent player for the Rockets down the stretch. However, if the Rockets are going to make a bold move this offseason, it could very well come at the expense of Sengun. Houston should probably do whatever it can to avoid that, but it would also make sense for the Rockets to have a backup plan in the event that it does happen.

Prospects like Thomas Sorber, Derik Queen, and perhaps even Joan Beringer (paired along a potential trade down) could be on Houston's radar if they were to go down that route. However, much of that possibility will likely depend on how the board falls.

Either way, the Rockets will have options heading into the NBA Draft. And they should be very open to any and every possibility.