The Houston Rockets are no strangers to picking near the top of the NBA Draft, having secured the second, third, and fourth picks over the past three seasons. Heading into this season’s draft lottery, it seemed this trend would end. The Rockets finished with a 41-41 record and lacked their own pick. However, they had the Brooklyn Nets’ pick from the James Harden trade, projected to be closer to 10th rather than in the top five. Surprisingly, the Rockets moved up to the top three once again.
Many believed another high pick made little sense for a team with several players under 22. Now that they have a top-three pick again, the decision is more complex. My view has always been that the Rockets should trade this pick to acquire a more established player, as the team already struggles to provide enough playing time for its young talent. Adding another 19 or 20-year-old could exacerbate this issue, especially given that this draft is not considered particularly strong compared to last year’s.
If the Rockets choose to keep their pick, one standout player could be Matas Buzelis. While Alex Sarr would be the ideal choice if available, he is likely to go in the top two. Buzelis then becomes the most exciting option at number three.
The Rockets made significant strides last season, defying expectations by improving from a 22-win season to a 41-win season. Despite this progress, they still have needs to address, notably outside shooting, as they ranked near the bottom of the league in three-point shooting.
Reed Shepard, one of the best shooters in college basketball last season, could help in this area. However, the third overall pick should address a specific need and have the potential to become more than just a solid role player, which brings Buzelis into focus.
The Rockets already have Alperen Sengun, a top offensive center, and Steven Adams is expected to join next season. However, they lack a versatile forward who can score inside and off the dribble consistently. Buzelis, a 6’10” forward who played for the G-League Unite, fits this role. He can score from midrange and the paint, handle the ball well, and is a strong transition scorer with high basketball IQ. Defensively, Buzelis has shown he can stay in front of ball handlers.
Buzelis has a basketball pedigree, with parents who played professionally in Lithuania. He averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, and over 2 blocks per game for Ignite, despite starting the season with an ankle injury.
Like any prospect, Buzelis has areas for improvement. He struggled with three-point shooting, hitting only 27% from beyond the arc, and at 6’10” and just over 200 pounds, he may face physical challenges in the NBA. He also needs to improve his ability to get to the free-throw line and handle on-ball pressure from better defenders.
