NBA Draft: Ranking 5 realistic prospects by fit with the Rockets

The Houston Rockets may have another lottery pick coming.

If the 2024-25 season ended today, their pick from the Suns would be projected to land 10th. If you're unfamiliar with the league's draft odds, that means the pick has a 2.5% chance of landing first. To quote a critically acclaimed comedic film:

"So you're telling me there's a chance?".

Sure - but it's a slim one. Rockets fans dreaming of Cooper Flagg may want to manage expectations. The Suns have no incentive to lose. More to the point, they've got every incentive to win. This team is capped out, and they don't control their draft (the Rockets control it).

That's not to say Rockets fans shouldn't be excited. There's no shortage of quality players in the lower range of this draft. Here are five of them ranked according to their fit on the Rockets.

5. Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina

Murray-Boyles is certainly an intriguing player. He's also been linked to Houston more than once. Some pundits surely see his defensive intensity as a good fit in Ime Udoka's culture.

It is. Murray-Boyles is a 6'7" forward who can guard multiple positions. He sounds like a tailormade Udoka type:

But the Rockets should pass on him anyway.

This is a 26.7% three-point shooter. Murray-Boyles only attempts 0.9 triples per game - he's effectively a non-shooter. This may be surface-level analysis, but the Rockets have surface-level problems. They badly need shooting, and any player who doesn't provide it may struggle to crack the rotation.

The Rockets should invest this pick in a player who's skillset they could use.

4. Khaman Maluach, Duke

Maluach makes for a more interesting case. He has some skills the Rockets need. This team doesn't have a strong rim protector. Rest assured, Udoka is salivating at the idea of adding one.

He may want to pump the brakes. The Rockets' most impactful offensive player shares a position with Maluach. If Maluach reaches his ceiling, he won't be content backing up Alperen Sengun past his rookie contract.

That's not a reason to entirely avoid him. Maluach may have the mobility to play alongside Sengun. He's intriguing, but ultimately, there are better fits. Maluach is a raw talent. His shooting remains a large question mark, and his offensive skillset is generally unpolished. The Rockets could be justified in deciding they don't have room to develop another project.

3. Asa Newell, Georgia

Maluach may be able to play alongside Sengun. Newell certainly could. He's an intriguing combo big at a slender 6'11".

Yet, we're talking about another shaky shooter. Newell is connecting on 28.1% of his 2.0 attempts per game. His volume gives him an edge over Murray-Boyles, but that percentage leaves much to be desired.

Moreover, Jabari Smith Jr. would be stepping on Newell's toes. He's a functionally similar player, only he's a vastly superior shooter. When Udoka is looking for five-out spacing, he'll turn to Smith Jr. at the 5 with Tari Eason (when healthy) at the 4 before he puts Newell on the floor.

If the Rockets are high enough on Newell's potential, they should disregard fit - that goes for everyone on this list. Otherwise, it's difficult to see Newell's path to regular playing time with this squad.

2. Liam McNeeley, UConn

There's a major leap here. McNeeley and the next prospect on this list would be excellent fits in Houston.

You guessed it - McNeeley is a shooter. He's hitting 37.9% of his 4.9 attempts this season. That's legitimate floor spacing that could find McNeeley in Houston's rotation early.

He's not strictly a specialist, either. McNeeley is versatile. He's a limited athlete, but at 6'7", he's able to put in extra effort that makes him a competent defensive player. McNeeley is also a strong connective passer who can even handle the ball in a pinch.

He's too versatile to keep out of the rotation for long.

1. Kon Knueppel, Duke

Knueppel is shooting 38.3% on 6.3 three-pointers per game. Still, this list doesn't strictly rank these players according to their three-point percentage.

There are other reasons why Knueppel is the best fit for the Rockets. This team's wing rotation is among the league's best, but they could use better guard play. Knueppel is a 6'7" off-guard. He can play the 3, but the 2 has been his primary position so far.

He's also the best shot creator on this list. Knueppel isn't strictly a floor spacer - he can knock down difficult threes off the dribble. Rockets fans are loving Jalen Green's play lately, but he could still use a competent backup. The Rockets could slide Knueppel into that role. If he proves too good for the bench, they've got a player with great trade value on their hands.

WIth the way things have been going, they may be able to flip him for a future lottery pick.