NBA Mock Draft: Rockets pick one prospect they must avoid in newest mock

The Houston Rockets need shooting.

They need it wherever they can find it. Injecting a group that won 52 games in 2024-25 with three-point shooting is a logistical nightmare. The Rockets have a solidified identity and rotation.

Where do they add the much-needed shooting?

It has to come somewhere. The Rockets were 20th in three-pointers attempted per game (35.8) and 21st in three-point percentage (35.3%) in 2024-25. That was with Dillon Brooks overachieving with a career-best 39.7% accuracy rate. This team needs to acquire a player or two with meaningful three-point gravity to get the most out of Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.

The draft feels like a smart place to find shooting talent. The Rockets could bring in a rookie who bolsters their three-point accuracy.

CBS Sports has them taking a different route.

Rockets make a critical error in new mock draft

Granted, they aren't the first outlet to mock South Carolina's Collin Murray-Boyles to the Rockets.

So, this isn't the first time I'm airing a grievance about that decision. The Athletic sent Murray-Boyles there as well. It was a mistake then, and it's a mistake now.

Let's review the facts. Murray-Boyles shot 26.5% from deep for South Carolina this year. That's not good. Yes, he's a solid prospect. Murray-Boyles defends well and is a polished ball-handler and interior scorer for his position.

That's fine, but the Rockets don't need another young wing with a shaky jumper. They're quite content with Tari Eason's play. The Rockets have been deploying Thompson as a wing. Cam Whitmore is surely one of the most talented wings in the NBA to not find significant time in a team's rotation.

Murray-Boyles would likely suffer the same fate. The Rockets don't have space for him.

Is there any case for drafting him?

Rockets could justify Murray-Boyles under one condition

If the Rockets do select Murray-Boyles in the draft, they'd better absolutely love him.

That's the only way to justify this decision. The Rockets would have to see a future superstar in Murray-Boyles. It would have to be a pure best player available pick.

Color me skeptical. Murray-Boyles is a strong prospect, but he's not an undeniable future superstar. At 6'7", he'll struggle to be a primary offensive option in the NBA if he can't shoot the three.

If the Rockets want to add a wing, Carter Bryant was still on the board in this mock. He hit 37.1% of his triples last year, and generally looks like he has some ball-handling potential. Alternatively, the late rising Cedric Coward is a 6'5" guard/wing who canned 40.0% of his threes.

The Rockets will have options that fit more seamlessly onto their roster than Murray-Boyles. Unless they see something special in him, they should look elsewhere.

He just doesn't shoot well enough.