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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Rockets reap benefits as Brooklyn tumbles in standings, rises in projected NBA draft order

For the 2023-24 Rockets, the most important short-term implication of Wednesday’s home game versus the Brooklyn Nets was securing a win and improving to two games over .500 (17-15). Houston has clear ambitions of competing for a play-in tournament spot, or even earning an outright playoff berth, in this regular season.

But longer-term, there’s also a major benefit to hanging a loss on the Nets (15-20), who have now lost 10 of their last 12 games.

Owing to the blockbuster James Harden trade from January 2021, the Rockets control Brooklyn’s first-round NBA draft capital through 2027. With the Nets on the verge of tumbling out of play-in tournament range in the Eastern Conference standings, it’s becoming increasingly possible — if not likely — for Houston to receive a lottery selection from the Nets in the upcoming 2024 draft.

That could add a significant asset to an improving young core that already includes the likes of Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Cam Whitmore.

Granted, it’s not all rosy for the Rockets and their future draft outlook. Because of their own ill-fated trade under previous general manager Daryl Morey, Houston will likely lose its own 2024 first-round pick to Oklahoma City as part of the Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook deal from 2019. (The pick is top-four-protected, but that protection is increasingly unlikely to kick in, since the Rockets are quickly approaching the midpoint of the 2023-24 season and still above .500.)

Even so, the unprotected pick the Rockets will land from the Nets is likely to be higher in the order than the one Houston will probably lose to Oklahoma City. Thus, current general manager Rafael Stone has to be pleased. Here’s a look at implications and reaction to that Brooklyn pick, which now projects to be at No. 10 in the draft order.

Nets sending a Top 10 draft pick to Houston?

Complete 2024 NBA mock draft via Tankathon

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