Should the Houston Rockets expect anything from Kira Lewis Jr.?

The words "former lottery pick" will get an NBA fan excited. Sometimes, they're jumping the gun.

Sure, teams try to pick the most talented players in the lottery. That's the goal, but it is only sometimes the reality. Once a player has been in the league for a few years, we begin to disregard their draft position.

Still, it's worth taking a flyer on a recent lottery pick at a low cost. That's what the Houston Rockets are doing by adding former lottery pick Kira Lewis Jr. to their Summer League roster.

Should they expect anything from him?

Could Houston Rockets unearth a diamond?

So far, Lewis Jr. has yet to deliver during his NBA career.

At times, he appeared to be rounding into form throughout 2022-23. Lewis Jr. averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per 75 possessions across 25 games throughout that season for the Pelicans.

That last number is all-too-significant. Lewis Jr. has only managed 50 or more games in a season once, and that was during his 2020-21 rookie campaign. He's been plagued by a litany of injuries throughout his career.

Why should it be any different for the Rockets?

Houston Rockets unlikely to see future with Lewis Jr.

It wouldn't matter if Lewis Jr. was the most durable player in the NBA. The Rockets still likely wouldn't have a future with him.

He's signed to their Summer League roster. Lewis Jr. isn't necessarily eyeing the Rockets. He's hoping to showcase his abilities in the Summer League to land with any NBA team - period.

Could that team be the Rockets? Sure. They don't currently have a roster spot open, but if Lewis Jr. wowed them during Summer League, they could create one.

We won't rule out that possibility. Lewis Jr. is still just 23. Still, it's most likely that, even if he lands on an NBA roster for 2024-25, it won't be in Houston.

In the meantime, sit back and enjoy his summer league performance - after all, he is a former lottery pick.