Reaction: Rockets land No. 3 overall pick in 2022 NBA draft lottery
For a second straight year, the Rockets defied the odds in the NBA draft lottery. One year after landing the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 first round, which resulted in Jalen Green, Houston secured the No. 3 pick in the 2022 first round with a fortuitious draw on Tuesday night.
The Rockets had only a 27.4% chance of picking at No. 2 or higher in 2021 and a 40.1% of being at No. 3 or higher in 2022, yet the lottery draw (pick odds) worked to their advantage on both occasions.
If Houston keeps the No. 3 pick in the 2022 first round, they should have an opportunity to draft one of the consensus top-three prospects: Gonzaga big Chet Holmgren, Duke forward Paolo Banchero, and Auburn forward Jabari Smith. Purdue guard Jaden Ivey and Kentucky wing Shaedon Sharpe could also potentially work their way into the discussion.
Here’s a sampling of the reaction from Rockets fans and media members on social media after Tuesday’s lottery result went final. Next up is the 2022 NBA draft, which will take place on Thursday, June 23.
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If you told me back in December that we were guaranteed one of Chet, Jabari, or Paolo as a result of our season….whew. Total success.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) May 18, 2022
3 words or less…I'll. Take. That.
— Felicia Stone (@FeliciaPStone) May 18, 2022
The #Rockets will have their pick of one of Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren or Paolo Banchero.
Landing top-3 is an absolute win for Houston. https://t.co/GZKZXIj4ui
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 18, 2022
#3 welcome to Houston
— 35 (@Chriswood_5) May 18, 2022
WE ARE IN THE TOP 4 pic.twitter.com/BA7OMdu45a
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 18, 2022
Two straight years Houston survives the 50/50 coin flip! #blessed
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) May 18, 2022
THE ROCKETS ARE IN THE TOP 4!!!
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) May 18, 2022
Rafael Stone representing the #Rockets pic.twitter.com/zjzHNH2lgd
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 18, 2022
Rafael Stone: “We’re really excited. I definitely think by picking third or trading, we’re going to be a materially more talented team than we were last year.”
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) May 18, 2022
There were many stone faced execs in the lottery drawing room when the results were revealed. But my gosh, Rafael Stone showed nothing about what he was thinking when the Rockets' card revealed that they have the third pick. He will speak later, but he must be pleased.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 18, 2022
First time since 1983 that the Rockets will be picking #3. Rodney McCray the pick.
— Negro Bane/Tha Shark (@thashark316) May 18, 2022
The 2022 NBA Draft order is set‼️
Who should the Magic take at No. 1? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/kUg0E5wwQZ
— ESPN (@espn) May 18, 2022
No. 1 is nice—but No. 3 ain’t too shabby, either… #Rockets pic.twitter.com/cheafGa5JB
— Adam Clanton (@adamclanton) May 18, 2022
Rockets will have a chance to get a versatile big – that’s awesome
They also hold the cards for good trade up opportunities if another team is enamored.
Good night for the franchise.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) May 18, 2022
They’ll have the opportunity to get one of Chet, Paolo, or Jabari. Totally fine with this outcome. Great night. #Rockets
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) May 18, 2022
I would expect the third pick to be … Banchero or Jabari. I don't think Chet falls past OKC at #2. https://t.co/c5jpa5U3Mg
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) May 18, 2022
To put some perspective on how fortunate the last two NBA draft lottery results have been:
Based on the odds, the #Rockets had an 11% chance of getting *both* top two in 2021 and top three in 2022. It happened.
They had a 47.9% chance of picking No. 18 in 2021.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) May 18, 2022
