The Houston Rockets entered Tuesday’s critical 2023 NBA draft lottery with a 14% chance of selecting No. 1 overall in the first round, followed by 13.4% odds for the No. 2 pick; 12.7% for the No. 3 pick; 12% for the No. 4 pick; 27.8% for No. 5; and 20% for No. 6.
Unlike 2021 and 2022, when Houston gained one of the best-case outcomes at No. 2 (Jalen Green) and No. 3 (Jabari Smith Jr.), respectively, they did not have the same luck in 2023. This year, the Rockets drew the No. 4 spot as the fourth and final lottery winner.
That means the rebuilding Rockets almost certainly will not be drafting Victor Wembanyama, the historically talented French big man who is now expected to go to San Antonio at No. 1 overall.
However, they will still have a number of talented options to choose from. The list potentially includes guard Scoot Henderson of the NBA G League Ignite, guard Amen Thompson of the Overtime Elite, forward Brandon Miller of Alabama and many more.
Scroll on for immediate lottery reaction from Houston’s media members and devoted fans. Rockets Wire will have more coverage in the days and weeks ahead as Houston preps for the June 22 draft.
2023 NBA draft lottery reaction
here. we. go. pic.twitter.com/eVp1CCmgkQ
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 17, 2023
Detorit drops to 5
Your final 4 are Houston, San Antonio, Charlotte and Portland
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) May 17, 2023
THE ROCKETS ARE IN THE TOP FOUR!
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) May 17, 2023
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) May 17, 2023
The order:
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Charlotte Hornets
3. Portland Trail Blazers
4. Houston Rockets
5. Detroit Pistons
6. Orlando Magic
7. Indiana Pacers
8. Washington Wizards
9. Utah Jazz
10. Dallas Mavericks
11. Orlando Magic
12. OKC Thunder
13. Toronto Raptors
14. NO Pelicans— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) May 17, 2023
🤬
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) May 17, 2023
The Rockets end up with the fourth pick in the NBA Draft pic.twitter.com/B2p8cD7z0m
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) May 17, 2023
We're picking 4th and 20th in the 2023 NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/BM6aM1u2BW
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 17, 2023
Salute to Clay Allen, #Rockets won a lottery pick three straight years, each of them basically being a coin flip to do so. Sucks not to get No. 1, but hard to say they were unlucky.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) May 17, 2023
So Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun, Kevin Porter Jr, KJ Martin and … Amen Thompson? #Rockets
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) May 17, 2023
Amen Thompson will get the most attention right now with the #4 pick, if things go as expected.
But the teams with the #2 and #3 picks (Charlotte, Portland) do have point guards. Can the Rockets look to move up for Scoot Henderson?
I fully expect Houston to shop this pick.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) May 17, 2023
I would not look to trade down unless it's an overwhelming offer. To me, there's a tier drop after Scoot/Amen/Miller.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) May 17, 2023
Of all the outcomes with the #Rockets landing pick No. 4, Charlotte and Portland being the teams at 2 and 3 is best-case scenario for Houston.
Scoot Henderson may still happen.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 17, 2023
I actually don't think that's the case, but will try to confirm. As I understand it, the flip was just for who drafted higher if neither won the lottery. Because both Houston/SA had 140 combinations no matter what, I don't think the flip impacted who had which numbers. https://t.co/I44f1YL0rG
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) May 17, 2023
If the Rockets can’t build a viable NBA team after having the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th picks in the NBA Draft 3 years running, they have the wrong person in charge. Period.
— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) May 17, 2023
If anything I think this makes Rafael Stone super aggressive this offseason
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) May 17, 2023
It's a top 5.6% outcome to get 2, 3, and 4 out of three years with peak lottery odds. Definitely not unlucky https://t.co/OOhc5OEa66
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) May 17, 2023
Spurs have won enough lotteries for generational big men to last a lifetime. https://t.co/jibhtdZNX9
— Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) May 17, 2023
The Spurs don't tank often, but when they do, they get a generational 7-footer with the No. 1 overall pick.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 17, 2023
#Rockets pick #4. Damn. I'd take Amen Thompson there though.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) May 17, 2023
It’s ok. I’m ok. We’re all ok.
— Felicia Stone (@FeliciaPStone) May 17, 2023
Amen would be perfect for this team if that’s where it ends up.
Long / big enough to defend wings, true passing to unlock shooting of our guards.
Great rim pressure and ability to cut off bigs.
Rockets will get one of Scoot, Miller, Amen. That’s exciting.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) May 17, 2023
This post’s for you @SportsRV & @adamclanton – the #NBADraft lottery combinations that popped out went like this:
1. SA
2. CHA
3. POR
4. SA (ignored & balls dumped back in the hopper), CHA (ignored), SA (ignored), then finally HOU— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) May 17, 2023
