NBA Mock Draft: Rockets grab versatile wing in latest mock

The Houston Rockets have two picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Where either will land is anyone's guess.

They can claim partial ownership of their own selection. The Thunder have the right to swap it, but they also have the right to swap their pick with the Clippers' selection. If the season ended today, the Thunder would take the Clippers' pick. They're below the Rockets in the standings.

Otherwise, the Rockets own the more favorable of two picks between the Suns and the Thunder. Got all of that straight?

Don't worry - neither does ESPN. They recently published a mock draft in which the Rockets only make one selection. Chalk it up to human error. At least that selection was interesting.

Rockets nab versatile wing in latest mock

They had the team selecting Collin Murray-Boyles with their own selection at 14.

Murray-Boyles is interesting. The South Carolina product has a readymade NBA game. He's a 6'7" wing who can defend multiple positions.

Murray-Boyles' offensive game also has some intriguing. He's a steady ball-handler, and his strength allows him to get to the basket and finish. Without the ball in his hands, Murray-Boyle can still thrive as an exceptional cutter.

Is he the right choice for the Rockets?

Rockets should explore their options in upcoming draft

You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned shooting. That's because Murray-Boyle doesn't look like much of a shooter at this stage of his development.

For a Rockets team that's woefully short on shooting, that's problematic. Some will bristle at the suggestion that the Rockets could draft for fit. That's fair - but a win-now team drafting in the backend of the lottery may see it differently. The Rockets could prefer a young player who fits instantly into their rotation.

That said, Murray-Boyles wouldn't necessarily be a poor selection. He fits into Ime Udoka's defensive culture. The Rockets also don't know what their future roster construction will be. They could make moves to load the roster with shooting, and suddenly, there could be a place for Murray-Boyles.

On the subject of moves, the Rockets feel like a strong candidate to trade a pick in this draft. They've got a pair, and this organization may be growing tired of developing young players. In other words, it's too early to properly speculate on what the Rockets may do in the draft.

They don't even know where their pick(s) will land.