As the calendar turns to the second full week of June, the 2024 NBA draft is just over two weeks away. As part of a new format, the first round will take place Wednesday night, June 26, while the second round will follow on Thursday afternoon, June 27.
The Houston Rockets continue to be the subject of trade rumors at No. 3 overall, but no deal has happened just yet. So, for now, the expectation seems to be that they will stay where they are and draft a top prospect such as Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard, Connecticut center Donovan Clingan, or Connecticut guard Stephon Castle.
There are also remote scenarios where one of two French forwards — Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher — could fall to the Rockets in the event that Atlanta or Washington (picking at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively) takes a player such as Clingan.
So, with those scenarios in mind, here’s our latest look at who various NBA draft experts are projecting to Houston at No. 3 overall.
Height, weight and age information is via Tankathon. All of these mock drafts were published after the NCAA’s May 29 early-entry withdrawal deadline, which is when previously declared candidates for the NBA’s 2024 draft could pull out of the pool and retain their eligibility for the 2024-25 college basketball season.
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report, June 7 projection: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky (6-foot-3 guard, 182 pounds, 19 years old)
Analysis by Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report:
Fit could play a bigger role than usual this year during a draft where it’s difficult to identify sure-fire stars or the best player available.
The Houston Rockets should love what Reed Sheppard brings to their rotation: Elite shooting, passing, and intangibles/character that scouts and executives praised after interviewing him at the NBA combine.
For Sheppard, an undersized two-guard who’s more limited off the dribble, Amen Thompson would also be the ideal backcourt partner with his creation/playmaking and ability to defend bigger guards.
And Sheppard feels perfect for Thompson with his ability to stretch the floor and create space for a limited shooter and shifty ball-handler.
Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer, June 4 projection: Donovan Clingan, Connecticut (7-foot-3 center, 282 pounds, 20 years old)
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