Ranking every Houston Rockets first-round pick of the Rafael Stone era

4. Tari Eason

The margins start getting narrow around here. We could easily have put Eason higher. He's an extra-possession monster who can dominate the offensive glass and rack up steals.

Unfortunately, he spent most of 2023-24 sidelined with an injury. For Eason to climb this list, he's got to prove that this year was an aberration. If he can do that, he'll likely start to lap some of his teammates.

3. Cam Whitmore

On draft night last summer, Rockets fans couldn't believe their eyes. The team was allegedly considering both Amen Thompson and Whitmore with the fourth overall pick. in the end, they'd choose Thompson. Surely, Whitmore would be off the board when they selected again at 20.

Wrong. The Rockets wound up with both. Questions about Whitmore's maturity and floor vision caused his stock to slip. Those questions persist - Whitmore averaged just 1.35 assists per 75 possessions in 2023-24.

With 23.9 points per 75, the Rockets won't regret spending the 20th pick on him.