Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Report: Purdue’s Jaden Ivey being evaluated by Rockets at No. 3 pick

The top-three prospects on most draft boards are three bigs: Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, Auburn’s Jabari Smith, and Duke’s Paolo Banchero. With the Houston Rockets landing the No. 3 pick in the NBA’s 2022 draft lottery, most analysts expect them to take whichever big remains.

But could there potentially be a late twist prior to the June 23 draft? In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony writes:

The Rockets pick third in what many consider to be a three-player draft, making this a relatively easy choice on face value. (Jaden) Ivey’s candidacy is also under consideration here, as the idea of constructing arguably the most explosive backcourt in the NBA is said to be intriguing for Rockets brass.

Givony still lists Banchero to the Rockets as his official projection for the No. 3 slot in the first round. In theory, the big man from Duke is a cleaner roster fit for a Rockets squad that already has the likes of Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Josh Christopher in the backcourt.

But as the calendar turns to June, whether Ivey can make a push in the final weeks is a storyline worth monitoring. The rebuilding Rockets are in a spot where they’re likely to prioritize talent ahead of fit — and if Houston views Ivey as the best talent, they can worry about the rest later.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.