If anything good has happened for the Rockets franchise in the past calendar year, it’s getting the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. However, some bad news could come with getting the second overall selection in the draft… it’s not the No. 1 pick.
There is a handful of talent worthy of the No. 2 selection, however, Houston is reportedly “fixated” on Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham, per Zach Harper of The Athletic. Cunningham averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game for the Cowboys en route to being named Big 12 Player of the Year last season.
It’s worth noting that the Detroit Pistons are certainly open for business when it comes to dealing the top pick, who many expect to be Cunningham, but don’t expect the Rockets to dive deep, if, at all into trade talks, Harper writes.
“According to league sources, it’s believed the Rockets have been fixated on Cunningham but don’t believe in offering up to Detroit what it would take to move into the top spot. That leaves them just deciding to pick the next best player at No. 2, right? Not necessarily. Houston could look to trade out of No. 2 in exchange for a more definite young star, i.e. someone already in the league.
“But league sources also have echoed sentiments that Houston could throw a lot of stuff out into the ether and see if it spurs any kind of rush toward offering the Rockets unbalanced trades in Houston’s favor. Confusion is the name of the game right now.”
Harper added that he believes the Rockets will ultimately stay at No. 2 and pick the best player available, which may not be the worst-case scenario. USC big man Evan Mobley, Gonzaga point guard Jalen Suggs, and NBA G League shooting guard Jalen Green seem to be the most eye-popping prospects following Cunningham.
Currently, seven out of 12 mock drafts reviewed by Drew Packham of NBA.com, have Mobley going to Houston second overall with good reason. The 7′ 0″ big man averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game in his lone season with USC leading them to an Elite Eight appearance in the March Madness tournament.
