Fansided

2019 NBA Draft grades for every team: Pelicans get an A+, Rockets get an F

By Brandon Jefferson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Rockets, Warriors, Game 5
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 6: Chris Paul #3 and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets are seen heading to the locker room after Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors on May 6, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

11. Houston Rockets – F

No Picks

Following another season ended at the hands of the Golden State Warriors it seemed as if big changes were in store for the Houston Rockets this summer. Word got out that Daryl Morey had made everyone on his roster available to trade, even James Harden—though a deal ever being agreed to involving the former MVP was highly unlikely. Then there was the breakdown in contract extension talks with coach Mike D’Antoni that remains unresolved at this time. Finally, there was the report that Chris Paul had demanded a trade and Harden presented the front office with a “him or me” ultimatum—all of which Morey as denied.

All of the drama surrounding the Rockets made the 2019 NBA Draft the perfect opportunity for Houston to make a newsworthy decision that didn’t make it seem like the franchise was in the midst of a soap opera storyline during sweeps week. Yet, they did nothing. With second-round picks selling like Avengers: Endgame tickets, Houston did nothing to join the fray. You’re telling me Bol Bol couldn’t have been helpful in Houston. What about a 3-and-D wing like DaQuan Jefferies? Carsen Edwards is from Texas I’m sure he could’ve been a great option to bring off the bench while Harden rested. I could go on and on about the players taken in the second round that would’ve been great additions for the Rockets but they chose to stay out of the draft.

Now if this is the price it costs for Houston being able to salary cap magic their way into adding Al Horford or Jimmy Butler in free agency than so be it. However, I readily admit I don’t have the foresight or salary cap knowledge to envision any way that the Rockets are able to pull such a thing off. In Harden, Paul, Clint Capella, Eric Gordon, and PJ Tucker, the Rockets are on the hooks for about $113.4 million next season; the salary cap for 2019-20 is projected to land at $109 million.

New owner Tilman Fertitta has come out guns blazing at the notion that he is a cheap owner and the Houston Rockets sought to duck the luxury tax last year under his orders. One way to make that narrative disappear? Buy second round picks. Especially given the fact that most of them were selling in the low $1 million range. As cash-strapped as the Rockets are and will be for the duration of Paul’s contract they need to find ways to get cheap talent, they blew their chance to do that yesterday.

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