Home NBA Draft Rockets Open To Moving No. 3 Pick, GM Rafael Stone Says

Rockets Open To Moving No. 3 Pick, GM Rafael Stone Says

May 20, 2022

The Rockets own the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft — for now.

According to general manager Rafael Stone, they are open to exploring the idea of trading it, assuming a they could find a player who fits their young nucleus.

This isn’t to say Stone and the Rockets are dead set on making a deal. But rival teams always call when you have a top three pick and are a looking to progress. That’s the Rockets.

“If it’s the case that (other teams) are interested in doing something, we’re always available to listen,” Stone told reporters. “If there’s something that makes sense for both teams it’ll get done.”

Houston does have a nice young core, with the likes of guards Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., as well as small forward Jae’Sean Tate, center Alperen Sengun, shooting guard Josh Christopher and several others.

Along with the No. 3 pick, word is they may also explore deals involving Porter (or both the pick and Porter). They also have to figure out what to do with starting center Christian Wood, who will be in the final year of his contract.

But no matter what happens next, the Rockets have options, and that’s all you can really hope for entering an offseason.

“We’re really excited,” Stone said. “I definitely think by picking third or trading, we’re going to be a materially more talented team than we were last year.”