The Houston Rockets entered Sunday’s 2024 NBA draft lottery with low probabilities of winning one of the top-four picks decided by the lottery. And yet, somehow, they defied those odds and walked away with a top-four selection for a fourth straight year.
Houston’s pick from Brooklyn (32-50), acquired in the January 2021 trade for James Harden, jumped from the No. 9 pre-lottery odds slot to No. 3 overall in the first round. The pick had only a 15% chance of a top-three spot, and it is now the highest of any Western Conference team. Only Atlanta (No. 1) and Washington (No. 2) are in front.
The Rockets (41-41) did lose their own pick at No. 12 overall, which was owed to Oklahoma City (with top-four protection) as part of the July 2019 trade involving Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. However, the impact of losing that No. 12 selection obviously pales in comparison to the pick from the Nets jumping to No. 3 overall.
The lottery took place in Chicago, which is where the league’s draft combine will take place over the remainder of this week.
Featuring perspective from media members and fans who closely follow the Rockets, here’s our roundup of initial reaction and key takeaways related to Sunday’s 2024 NBA draft lottery results.
The #Rockets officially lose their pick to the OKC Thunder this year.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 12, 2024
Houston (via Brooklyn), San Antonio, Utah and Washington are in the top four. This is incredible.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) May 12, 2024
The Houston #Rockets won 41 games and got the #3 pick in the draft.
IT IS SO OVER FOR THE LEAGUE.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) May 12, 2024
Jalen Green
Alperen Şengün
Jabari Smith
Tari Eason
Amen Thompson
Cam Whitmore
#3 overall pickGo ahead and stop talking about which team has the best young core in the NBA: It’s officially the Houston #Rockets.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) May 12, 2024
The Houston #Rockets (from BKN) get the #3 pick in the NBA Draft. The James Harden trade continues to pay off for Houston.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) May 12, 2024
The #Rockets have already received Tari Eason and a No. 3 overall pick from the Nets for James Harden, and they still have three more years of first-round assets remaining
Thank…
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