The Rockets finished with three first-round additions in the 2022 NBA draft, including a potential No. 1 pick (Jabari Smith) who unexpectedly fell to Houston at No. 3 overall. To no surprise, general manager Rafael Stone is receiving high marks from draft experts for his work.
The Rockets were the league’s worst team on defense in many statistical metrics last season, and improving on that side of the ball is a clear priority for Stone and head coach Stephen Silas. Thus, there is clear excitement for adding two of the draft’s best and most versatile defenders in Smith and LSU’s Tari Eason (pick No. 17), and Smith happens to be arguably the best shooter in this rookie class, to boot.
The Rockets finished their night by drafting Kentucky guard TyTy Washington Jr. (pick No. 29), who had been projected in many mock drafts to actually go to Houston at No. 17! Thus, it was hard value for Stone to turn down. The Eason pick was obtained via the James Harden blockbuster trade from January 2021, while the Washington selection was directed to Houston as a result of last week’s Christian Wood trade.
Here’s what many of the leading draft analysts had to say about Houston’s haul on the day after the 2022 NBA draft.
