Multiple Teams Calling Rockets About No. 4 Overall Pick

The Rockets have been receiving calls about their No. 4 overall pick from multiple teams ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

As Iko reported earlier this month, the Rockets have been willing listeners as they aim to go from league bottom-feeder to playoff contender under new coach Ime Udoka.

While the top three picks of French center Victor Wembanyama, G League guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama forward Brandon Miller are said to be set in stone, there’s considerably more mystery about who will go No. 4.

But talking about trading the pick and actually doing it are two different things entirely.

“In reality, history doesn’t favor the odds of the fourth pick being traded for an established player,” Iko wrote. “Given that the Rockets don’t own a top-three pick, the list of suitable trade partners likely whittles down to mid-tier willing to press the reset button or lower-level teams that have players in the second threshold of talent.”

The Rockets could also look up to move a spot by packaging the Nos. 4 and 20 overall picks, Iko noted. The Hornets are drafting No. 2 overall, with the Trail Blazers set to select one spot later.

Houston could also just keep their picks and aim to add veteran free agents via free agency. They repeatedly have been linked to a reunion with 76ers guard James Harden, and supposedly have Lakes guard Austin Reaves and Nets forward Cam Johnson on their radar, among others.