NBA Mock Draft: Rockets grab sharpshooter in recent mock

The Houston Rockets need shooting. The Houston Rockets need shooting. The Houston Rockets...

Sorry. I fell asleep. The Houston Rockets need shooting, and that point has been belabored.

In 2024-25, they've improved in that area - so far. The Rockets are shooting 35.4% from long-range, which is 16th in the NBA. The 41.0 threes per game they're taking ranks 8th in the NBA. That's a passable combination of accuracy and volume.

It's also based on a four-game sample size. Will Jalen Green continue to shoot 41.3% from deep? He's taking 11.5 threes per game. Green is responsible for roughly a quarter of the Rockets' attempts. If his accuracy declines, the Rockets' already weak shooting will suffer.

A recent mock draft has them remedying the issue.

Rockets select sharpshooter in latest mock draft

Bleacher Report has the Rockets selecting Connecticut forward Liam McNeely with the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

He's an interesting project. McNeely shot over 40% from deep in NIBC and EYBL. Yet, he's more than just a specialist. McNeely is a skilled passer and ball-handler. His plus positional strength gives him an edge on the defensive end as well.

He isn't perfect. McNeely is a limited athlete, and he doesn't have an exceptional wing span. He projects as a roughly average defender at the NBA level. He's skilled beyond shooting, but time will tell whether he's able to create his own shot at the NBA level.

Still, he's overwhelmingly likely to be a useful rotation player. McNeely is garnering comparisons to Keegan Murray. He's got a little Joe Ingles in his game as well. Shooting tends to translate in the NBA, so this would be a fine choice for the Rockets.

Is it the right choice?

Rockets should be open-minded on draft night

Let's be honest: it's a bit early to be talking about draft night.

That's particularly true for Houston. Their own selection is subject to some complex swap arrangements with the Thunder and the Clippers. They also hold the Suns' pick - who knows where that might land?

Assuming, for argument's sake, that the Rockets do land at 12, McNeely would be a good selection. Duke's Khaman Maluach comes off the board one pick later in Bleacher Report's mock draft. As a fleet footed 7'2" big man with long arms, he may have more upside than McNeely. Still, if the Rockets intend on building around Alperen Sengun, McNeely would be the better fit.

Who knows? Houston could trade this pick in a package for a star. There are countless possibilities between now and draft night.

Although, it's likely that the team will still need shooting by the summer.