NBA Mock Draft: Rockets create more problems in latest mock

Some Houston Rockets fans would trade their next lottery pick at any cost.

They'll say that the team has no room to develop more young talent. That's an understandable position. Fans who invested hope in Reed Sheppard and/or Cam Whitmore feel jaded. Why draft another talented young player just to watch him waste away on the bench?

It's a fair argument, but it's slightly oversimplified. The Rockets can still draft. They simply should be more mindful of a prospect's fit. They should target young players with a shot to crack their rotation on their own merit. Unless they think a rawer prospect has true superstar potential, it's time to bring in supporting pieces.

By that logic, ESPN's new mock draft has them making a mistake.

Rockets make mistake in new mock draft

It has them taking Collin Murray-Boyles of South Carolina.

Make no mistake - Murray-Boyles is a talented prospect. He's a 6'8" wing who can guard across positions. Murray-Boyles plays hard. On the offensive end, he's got crafty moves and deft footwork that help him finish around the basket.

Notice anything missing in that assessment?

I didn't mention shooting. That's because Murray-Boyles doesn't offer much of it. He shot 26.5% from long-range on 1.1 attempts per game for South Carolina this season.

The Rockets can't afford to add that type of shooter.

Rockets need shooting at all costs

Murray-Boyles is a stout defender. He should fit into Ime Udoka's culture. He also has some star upside.

So, there are reasons to draft him. I don't mean to suggest that selecting Murray-Boyles would be a critical error. If the Rockets love him, their scouting report has a better understanding of him as a prospect than I do.

It just doesn't feel likely that Murray-Boyles will crack the rotation with such limited shooting. The Rockets are stacked with wings. Nobody knows if the roster will look the same as it does now in 2024-25, but if there's a vacant spot in the wing rotation, it's likely to be filled by a veteran shooter.

The Rockets should look at someone who provides what they need. Liam McNeeley is intriguing. Kon Knueppel would be ideal, but he's not likely to be on the board when they pick. Jase Richardson is a knockdown shooter, but he's a guard.

Regardless, there are options. Unless the Rockets are exceedingly high on Murray-Boyles' potential, he shouldn't be one of them. It's going to be too difficult for a non-shooting wing to play for the Rockets in 2025-26.

Trading the pick might be a more sensible course of action.