2022 NBA draft: Monday’s news and notes relevant to the Rockets
With the No. 3 pick in the 2022 first round, the Houston Rockets are widely expected to draft whichever of the consensus top-three prospects — Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, and Duke’s Paolo Banchero — is still on the board. All are frontcourt players.
Yet, it remains unclear which of the three will actually be available to Rockets general manager Rafael Stone. There’s also a remote scenario where Oklahoma City selects Jaden Ivey at pick No. 2, which could leave Houston with a choice between two of those three frontcourt options.
Assuming the Rockets keep the pick, the chosen player will immediately join Jalen Green as the foundational pieces of Houston’s rebuild.
Now that it’s draft week, rumors will fly leading up to the actual draft selections on Thursday night, June 23. Some reports in the final days will be credible, while others could be misinformation to suit a certain team or prospect’s agenda. With that in mind, rather than write individual stories for each and every rumor, what we’re going to do each day at RocketsWire is sort all the tidbits involving each of the top three teams.
From there, it could be easier to determine where the true momentum or trend is. As of midday Monday, here’s the latest reports when it comes to the Magic (No. 1), Thunder (No. 2), and Rockets (No. 3), as well as what it could mean when it comes to Houston’s ultimate pick.
Orlando Magic, No. 1 overall
"Auburn’s Jabari Smith, who worked out and met with the Magic (No. 1) and Thunder (No. 2) during the predraft process, is a virtual lock to go in the top two in the draft. He remains a favorite to go No. 1."#Rockets https://t.co/g6GxQ6VWIa
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) June 20, 2022
The Magic have brought in Jabari Smith Jr., Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero, but it’s Smith who rival teams believe will be the choice@JeremyWoo's latest mock draft ↓ https://t.co/0R53rykK2C
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 20, 2022
Oklahoma City Thunder, No. 2 overall
While officially projecting Holmgren to OKC in her final mock, Krysten says Jaden Ivey remains in play there, as well. https://t.co/v3PWz4qN2d
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 20, 2022
Ivey said he didn't go down to Oklahoma City for a work out but the coaching staff and a few front office execs came out to LA to watch him workout after his pro day.
— Krysten Peek (@krystenpeek) June 20, 2022
Interesting intel here about Chet Holmgren’s camp not wanting Orlando.
If true, that makes Paolo Banchero to Houston even more likely, IMO. I can’t see OKC picking Paolo over Chet. I could see a remote scenario where they pick Paolo over Jabari. https://t.co/Xm0dBq1BQ0
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 20, 2022
Houston Rockets, No. 3 overall
Purdue guard Jaden Ivey says he has been in contact with the Rockets when he was in Chicago.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 20, 2022
With the draft days away, the signals are pointing stronger and stronger at Duke’s Paolo Banchero being selected by the Rockets, should he be on the board at No. 3, sources told The Athletic. On a related note, while Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren is expected by some to be taken at No. 2 by the Thunder, it’s no absolute guarantee. There have been whispers of interest in Purdue’s Jaden Ivey.
There was an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from Banchero’s visit (to Houston), akin to the one from Jalen Green at a similar stage last year. The Rockets are rebuilding their culture and seeking team-first, hardworking players. By all accounts, Banchero fits that bill.
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