NBA Mock Draft: AI models have Rockets torn between two great choices

The Houston Rockets are preparing for the NBA Draft:

Whether they're preparing to make a selection or make a trade.

Many fans are clamoring for a blockbuster deal. They may get one, but don't be shocked if the Rockets make a pick. This organization is in no rush to forfeit its assets. They may prefer to grab whoever they consider to be the best prospect here and hammer out the rotational details later.

According to USA Today's AI mock draft, that's likely to be one of two prospects. Either would be a great choice.

Rockets likely to grab one of two strong prospects

USA Today used six AI models to generate picks for the Rockets. Two selected Kasparas Jakucionis, and two selected Noa Essengue. The models rounded out with Collin Murray-Boyles and Jase Richardson.

Let's quickly address those choices. Murray-Boyles is a poor shooter and ball-dominant scorer. He's got a case as the best prospect left on the board here, but he's a dreadful fit in Houston. Richardson is a small guard and three-point sniper. The Rockets drafted a better version of him in 2024, and he barely got on the floor.

I'm not huge on either for Houston. If the front office feels differently, hey - Rafael Stone has earned our trust. Let's turn to the two more commonly mocked prospects.

Is either a good fit for Houston?

Rockets should be happy with Jakucionis or Essengue

Essengue is not a much better shooter than Murray-Boyles. They're similar archetypes - defensive wings with limited jumpers. That said, Murray-Boyles is a more gifted scorer, but where he looks like a good defender, Essengue looks like a potentially special one.

He also hit 29.4% of his threes to Murray-Boyles' 26.5%. That's a meaningful difference. Essengue seems like the better choice. If nothing else, adding such a gifted defender to such a strong defensive culture seems like a winning recipe.

Jakucionis has his own struggles as a three-point shooter. He's still comfortably worth the 10th pick. This is one of the best playmakers in his class. It's worth noting that his 31.8% three-point shooting in college came on higher volume and a greater degree of difficulty than either of the wings we've discussed. Jakucionis has also shot the triple with better accuracy in international play.

Who knows what the Rockets might do? This is a team with a multitude of possible directions. For all we know, Kevin Durant will be in Rockets red by draft night:

But the safe money is on Houston investing in the future.