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Houston Rockets: Ime Udoka’s Stance That Could Drive Away Suitors for NBA Draft No. 3 Pick

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 5/23/24

The Houston Rockets nearly played beyond the 2023-24 NBA regular season, as they had a torrid stretch following the 2024 NBA All-Star Break.

Although they lost steam toward the end of the season that had them missing out on a chance to play in the Play-in Tournament, it’s clear that the Rockets’ future has gotten brighter. Holding the rights for the No.3 pick overall in the 2024 NBA Draft (via the Brooklyn Nets), the Rockets could add another fantastic young piece to help strengthen their outlook in the league.

However, there seems to be a talk within NBA circles that Rockets head coach Ime Udoka could be leaning in the direction of the team sending that pick away via a trade.

Via Kelly Iko of The Athletic:

There is an assumption, given Houston’s 19-win improvement and Udoka’s preference for older, experienced players, that the Rockets would prefer to trade the pick. That isn’t necessarily the case.

Will the Houston Rockets Trade the No. 3 Pick?

It’s hard to tell at the moment just how much interest there is on the part of the Rockets in letting that pick go to another team in exchange for another asset (or assets). What is easier to imagine is the attention that pick is generating from other teams looking to trade for that pick given its high position in the draft.

Other factors could influence the Rockets’ final decision on the future of that No. 3 pick outside of Udoka’s preference. For one, the Rockets could have some plans for the upcoming NBA free agency. The NBA Draft board is also yet to be finalized.

Alex Sarr, Stephon Castle, Nikola Topic, Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, and Donovan Clingan are just some of the names projected by many mock drafts to go inside the top three of the draft.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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