NBA Draft 2016: Grades for every team

Houston Rockets

Picks: No. 37 Chinanu Onuaku, No. 43 Zhou Qi

In all fairness, the Houston Rockets weren’t exactly in a great position coming into the 2016 NBA Draft considering all that they had to their credit were a couple of second round picks—one early and one in the middle of the round. However, the question was whether or not they would look for value and upside or for veteran college players that could potentially help their frontcourt right away.

Houston had the right idea in adding players to help a frontcourt that’s only going to become more problematic going forward, but it’s hard to get too excited about either selection for them. Chinanu Onuaku was definitely the better of their two picks as he should be able to come in and be a strong body on the interior that can defend and rebound—but he feels a bit like a poor man’s Montrezl Harrell. You know, a player they already have.

The Rockets were alsot he team finally willing to take Zhou Qi out of China when they finally made their selection at No. 43. Obviously everyone in the draft knows that Qi isn’t coming over for at least another year, so that’s not a surprise as someone was always going to be making that play for a stash. However, I’m just not sure that Houston is a team in a position to be doing that. They have obvious holes and needs to improve, so taking Qi just seems a weird call on their part

Final Grade: C+

Next: Pacers