NBA Mock Draft: Rockets fill a significant need in latest mock

It's going to be an interesting summer for the Houston Rockets. Nobody knows what they might do.

They have what's likely to be a lottery pick coming via the Phoenix Suns. Will the Rockets use that pick? Are they more likely to trade it? Who knows?

Either course of action could be justified. The Rockets could move the pick if it upgrades their win-now potential. Still, even the best teams in the NBA need young, cost-controlled talent. The Rockets may prefer to add a rookie contract if they think the player attached to it will be a contributor in due time.

For argument's sake, let's assume they keep the pick. Whoeever they draft, with rare exception, should be a shooter. That's a devastating area of weakness for Houston, and any non-shooter won't see the floor unless they play the 5.

Bleacher Report kept this in mind when they penned their latest mock draft.

Rockets make wise decision in latest mock

They have the Rockets selecting Connecticut's Liam McNeeley.

It seems like Bleacher Report has settled on McNeeley for Houston. This isn't the first time they've sent him there in a mock draft. For what it's worth, I concur - I had the Rockets taking McNeeley in this site's last mock as well.

Sometimes, something just makes intuitive sense. McNeeley is a shooter. His 35.3% shooting on the season represents a substantial dip from where he was, but McNeeley has been playing through an injury. He also sees far more defensive pressure in college than he will in the NBA.

The Rockets would likely deploy him as a spot-up shooter. Still, that's not all McNeeley is capable of:

There are plenty of reasons to consider drafting him.

Rockets need ready-made prospect like McNeeley

McNeeley isn't a world-beating defender, but he plays hard. At 6'7", he should be moldable on that end. Ime Udoka will find a way to maximize his defensive tools.

He's also a great connective passer. McNeeley understands the game. He doesn't have a plethora of crafty moves. He produces by being in the right places and making the right decisions.

That should matter to the Rockets. Look how sporadic Reed Sheppard's minutes have been this year. Why draft another player who won't see the floor? If the third overall pick can't get minutes, someone in McNeeley's range won't either - at least, by virtue of his draft position.

If he has a ready-made NBA skillset, that's a different story. Drafting for fit is a controversial choice, but most teams haven't drafted as much as the Rockets have in recent years. With so much young talent, it would be wise to spend this pick on someone they can use:

Unless they trade it, that is.