Rockets' first round choice is now painfully obvious after order is finalized

The results are in. It's official.

The Houston Rockets will not roster Cooper Flagg.

That dream is dead. Instead, Flagg will be heading to the Dallas Mavericks.

Perhaps that organization needed a little luck, although whether they deserved it is a different matter.

The Rockets will be picking 10th. That's a far cry from the first overall selection, but Rockets fans have no right to complain. A 52-win team is not supposed to land the 10th overall pick in any draft.

The Rockets should use the pick to add to their young core.

Rockets don't need to trade pick

That will be contrary to the feelings of many fans. They'll suggest that the Rockets don't need any more young talent. It's time to start flipping these picks for win-now veterans.

Sure. This pick will have limited value. The Rockets could trade it for a solid veteran, but if they choose wisely, they could pick a player who will be as good as that veteran - plus younger and much cheaper - in a season or two.

Establishing a pipeline of young, affordable talent is a smart team-building strategy. The Rockets should use this pick, but they need to use it wisely. Anyone they select should have a chance to crack Ime Udoka's rotation.

Who meets that criteria?

Rockets should look at wide range of players

Noa Essengue could quickly establish himself as a Udoka favorite. Defense is his calling card. The 6'10" wing out of France is agile enough to guard multiple positions. Essengue's 29.4% three-point shooting makes him a suspect fit with this roster, but he's already in line with Udoka's philosophy.

Texas' Tre Johnson is the opposite. His defense may be suspect, but he can shoot the orange off the ball. He hit 39.7% of his threes last season. Beyond floor spacing, Johnson can create for himself off the dribble. He could be a star scorer in the NBA.

How about the best of both worlds? Arizona's Carter Bryant has been climbing the prospect ranks lately. He's a 37.1% three-point shooter who also consistently competes on defense.

Who knows? The Rockets could swing for the fences with Egor Demin or Will Riley. They could look to trade back. What's clear is that, despite some likely disappointment about not landing a higher pick, the right decision is to use this selection to bring in another young player.

Everyone can't get Cooper Flagg.