Houston Rockets draft picks: Updated look at every selection in 2025, 2026 and beyond

The Houston Rockets have one of the best collections of first-round picks in the NBA. We'll advise you not to get used to it.

Those picks may be burning a hole in Rafael Stone's pockets. The Rockets are one of the most frequently cited teams in blockbuster trade rumors. Soon enough, Stone may convert those picks into a superstar player.

So, we should enjoy this while it lasts. If (when?) that superstar comes to town, we'll enjoy them too. That's the fluid nature of assets in the NBA. General managers use them to acquire players, and when those players have overstayed their welcome, they're used to acquire more picks.

For the time being, it's worth taking stock of the Rockets' picks. We hope you brought your reading glasses - there's a lot to unpack here.

This is an updated look at the Rockets' draft capital moving forward

Rockets future first-round draft picks and swaps

2025 First-Round Pick (HOU)

2025 First-Round Pick (Swap - OKC or PHX for OKC or BKN)

2027 First-Round Pick (HOU)

2027 First-Round Pick (Swap - BKN)

2027 First-Round Pick (PHX)

2028 First-Round Pick (HOU)

2029 First-Round Pick (Swap - DAL and/or PHX for HOU or BKN)

2029 First-Round Pick (HOU)

2030 First-Round Pick (HOU)

2031 First-Round Pick (HOU)

Rockets future second-round picks

2025 Second-Round Pick (MIN)

2026 Second-Round Pick (HOU)

2026 Second-Round Pick (OKC, DAL, or PHI)

2026 Second-Round Pick (LAC, BOS, IND, or MIA)

2027 Second-Round Pick (MEM)

2031 Second-Round Pick (HOU)

Rockets' outgoing picks

2025 Second-Round Pick (MEM)

2026 First-Round Pick (OKC or PHI)

2027 Second-Round Pick (OKC, NYK, SAS, or MIA)

2028 Second-Round Pick (ATL)

2029 Second-Round Pick (OKC)

2030 Second-Round Pick (OKC)

That's a lot of information. It's useless without interpretation.

What should we make of all these assets?

Rockets in prime market position

A few observations stand out.

Firstly, we're finally entering a time when the Rockets don't have much outgoing draft capital. They owe the Thunder one more first-rounder from the eternally painful Paul/Westbrook trade, and then they're off the hook.

That said, there are a lot of situations where the Rockets don't own full control of their destiny. Their assets include a myriad of swap rights and contingencies. That's fine. The Rockets are owed the most favorable pick in most of those situations, and this team won't be tanking for some time anyway.

An additional caveat - we only included the assets the Rockets can trade. Sure, they own their 2032 pick. They also own their 2146 first-round pick. Teams are only allowed to trade out as far as 2031.

So what's the bottom line here? It's simple - the Rockets have a lot of stuff. They also have a lot of young players who they'll likely look to consolidate eventually. Say what you like about Rafael Stone, but he has undeniably positioned the Rockets well in the NBA's trade market.

Time will tell how he leverages that position.