Rockets regret in drafting Usman Garuba grows as passed picks continue to break out

Over the past few years, the Houston Rockets have been one of the premier teams in the NBA as far as drafting and developing young talent goes, having amassed a talented young core that is likely to carry them into contention not only now but for several years into the future.

Yet, one decided miss of a draft selection, their decision to draft Usman Garuba with the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, continues to come back to haunt them as players they passed on continue their breakouts with opposing organizations.

While that draft was decidedly not a failure, given the fact that they ultimately came away with Jalen Green, who helped them land Kevin Durant, and Alperen Sengun, their franchise center of the future, their roster could look decidedly different had they ultimately made a different choice.

Usman Guruba was a worthy choice, but his selection has proved to be a missed opportunity for the Rockets in hindsight

Heading into the draft, Guruba seemed like a worth first-round selection. In the years he had spent with Real Madrid prior to converting to the NBA, he flashed an ability to both rebound and score in the paint, and, although his production was limited, the selection made sense given Houston's needs at the time.

Yet, he never quite found his footing in the NBA, spending two seasons with the Rockets in which he averaged 2.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists on a diet of roughly 12 minutes per game. He then played one season with the Golden State Warriors before fizzling out of the league, ultimately returning to Europe in a limited role for Real Madrid.

Misses happen in almost every draft, and Houston, with how well they have drafted in recent years, are bound to have a few here or there.

Yet, it is the ascending play of players selected below him, even in the second round, that should give Rockets fans pause.

Garuba was selected 23rd in that draft. The Rockets also selected Josh Christopher, who appeared in just 14 games with the Miami Heat last season, 24th overall. Selected between 25 and 35 were Quentin Grimes, Cam Thomas, Bones Hyland, Santi Aldama and Herb Jones. All of these players have become productive pieces in the NBA for their respective teams.

Most notably, Grimes has continued the breakout he experienced with the Philadelphia 76ers late last season, averaging 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 36% from beyond the arc through his first 18 games this season.

Given Houston's lack of backcourt depth, having someone like Grimes on the roster, even as a trade chip, would be hugely beneficial to their offensive versatility and organizational flexibility.

As well as the Rockets have pulled their organizational approach off, the NBA is full of what-if scenarios, and undeniably Garuba represents one for Houston.