With the NBA’s 2021-22 regular season complete, the Houston Rockets now know that they will have a top-five pick in the 2022 NBA draft, with the exact spot depending on results from the May 17 draft lottery.
Ultimately, that pick will be made by general manager Rafael Stone and his basketball operations department, with the draftee immediately becoming the running mate of the future for top 2021 pick Jalen Green.
But it certainly shouldn’t come as a surprise if Stone maintains dialogue with Green throughout the process. If that’s the case, it appears that Green already has some names in mind.
After Sunday’s season finale, in which Green scored a career-high 41 points, the No. 2 overall pick from the 2021 first round was asked if he sees any of the top prospects as a potential fit alongside him. He replied:
I’ve been watching a lot of (Purdue guard) Jaden Ivey, just because I played against him in high school. We were both on Adidas for high school, playing prolific. Chet (Holmgren, from Gonzaga), a really good big. I’ve seen him at USA (Basketball) a bunch of times.
Oh, and Paolo (Banchero, big from Duke). That’s one of my little bros, I’m actually talking to him a lot. That’s crazy that I didn’t think of him right now… but yeah, I’ve been watching a lot of Paolo, too. So those are my top three, right now.
Green and the Rockets will learn their final 2022 draft placement when the lottery takes place on Tuesday, May 17.
Jalen Green says he's been watching Jaden Ivey, Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero. pic.twitter.com/bVZZ9sREnA
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 11, 2022
