Ranking 6 realistic NBA draft prospects for the Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets fans weren't thrilled with the outcome of the 2025 NBA draft lottery.

Some gripes are more valid than others. Yes, it stings that the top 2 picks landed in the Rockets' division. Any Rockets fan looking forward to a long stretch of Mavericks' irrelevance has to change their outlook. The Spurs landing the second overall pick with Victor Wembanyama already on the roster will be problematic for the team as well.

Complaints about landing the 10th pick should fall on deaf ears. The pick was projected to land 9th - hardly a different outcome. Moreover, a 52-win team landing the 10th overall pick in the draft is blessed, not cursed. The Rockets will be able to add another talented youngster to their roster.

Here's a ranking of 6 realistic potential selections.

6. Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina

This list takes both fit and upside into account. By the latter criterion, Murray-Boyles would be a solid selection. It's the former measure that should be concerning for the Rockets.

Murray-Boyles shot 26.5% from long range for South Carolina this year. The Rockets do not have room for another non-shooting wing. Murray-Boyles has a lot going for him, but he's not the guy for Houston.

Someone else will be happy to grab him. Murray-Boyles is a versatile defender who can handle the ball and score inside with a wide range of moves. Nobody is knocking him as a prospect, but here's hoping the Rockets take a different direction.

5. Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph's

Fit is a finicky concept. Fleming is a perfect fit for the Rockets in the sense that he shot 39.0% from three-point range for St. Joseph. In a vacuum, the Rockets badly need that kind of floor spacing.

In practice, Fleming's minutes would have to come at someone else's expense. Cam Whitmore already struggles to find minutes. With Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Dillon Brooks occupying the wing spots, where will Fleming fit in?

That said, there could be an avenue. If the Rockets aren't sold on Smith Jr.'s next contract, Fleming could be a budget replacement. If they intend on gradually incorporating Thompson into the backcourt, there could be a wing vacancy. As a 6'9" wing with a sweet shooting stroke, Fleming could be a strong candidate to fill that vacancy.

4. Carter Bryant, Arizona

Much of what was said about Fleming can be said about Bryant. That said, he's got a little more upside. Bryant has a smoother handle than Fleming, which could allow him to take on a larger chunk of an NBA team's offensive production.

Realistically, Fleming is projected to be picked well outside of the top 10. If the Rockets like him, they could look to trade back for him. If they like Bryant, they may want to play it safe and grab him with the 10th overall selection.

After all, teams will be intrigued by a 6'8" wing with a 7'0" wingspan who shot 37.1% from long range. Bryant has strong defensive instincts as well. He'll be an archetypical 3-and-D wing in the NBA, and he's got the potential to be more.

3. Tre Johnson, Texas

Fleming and Bryant should be on the board at 10. Murray-Boyles may not be, but that's OK. In Johnson, we've landed on a prospect the Rockets would be lucky to select.

He's the best offensive player to be named in this article so far. Johnson is a 6'6" guard who can create his own shot and space the floor. He averaged 19.9 points per game for the Longhorns this year while shooting an impressive 39.7% from long range.

Johnson has his warts. His floor vision is suspect, and his defensive effort is inconsistent. Still, provided that his shooting translates at the NBA level, he could develop into a better offensive option for this team than Jalen Green. With his physical profile, Ime Udoka could likely coach his defensive shortcomings out of him as well.

2. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois

Jakucionis is a prospect who's mocked all over the board. He may be gone well before the Rockets select. If he's available and Houston passes on him, Jakucionis could wind up slipping further in the draft.

His fit with Houston is questionable. If you've been reading SpaceCityScoop for a while, you know that's a thinly veiled code for "he can't shoot". Jakucionis connected on just 31.8% of his threes for Illinois last year.

For the Rockets, this would be a straight upside grab. Jakucionis is one of the best playmakers in this class. He's also a 6'6" point guard who competes on both ends of the floor. It's worth noting that 31.8% is poor, but it's not hopeless. If Jakucionis can bump that percentage up a little, he could be a superstar at the NBA level.

1. Kon Knueppel, Duke

Let's be honest - Knueppel isn't likely to be on the board when the Rockets make their selection. There's nothing to dislike about his game.

Shooting? Check. Knueppel hit 40.6% of his threes for Duke this year. Defense? Check. At 6'7", Knueppel can line up at the 2 or the 3 and play strong point of attack defense.

Shot creation? Check. Playmaking? Check, check, check. Knueppel may not be a superstar, but this is one of the more well-rounded prospects we've seen in recent drafts.

If he somehow falls to 10th, the Rockets need to select him without hesitation.