3 prospects the Rockets have to avoid in the NBA Draft

Houston Rockets should draft USC center, Evan Mobley

With Cunningham off the board, the Rockets should draft USC center, Evan Mobley.

The athletic big man was the primary reason USC made the Elite Eight last season.

Mobley is the type of player that can match up in the Western Conference that has DeAndre Ayton, Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, among others, presenting all sorts of problems for smaller teams.

While the NBA is a guard-oriented league in this era, passing on the ultra-talented Mobley would be a mistake. And for what it’s worth, Mobley is believed to be the pick, according to Wojnarowski.

Who should the Rockets avoid in the NBA Draft?

3. Scottie Barnes – Florida State

The Rockets may be tempted to look elsewhere and pass on Mobley. If that’s the case, they should avoid taking Florida State small forward Scottie Barnes for starters. While Barnes has tools and ability that will make him a high lottery pick, using the No. 2 pick on him is too rich. Barnes can defend all five positions, but you don’t take a player at No. 2 for that. HIs game needs a lot of refinement on the offensive end. He may be able to make an impact as a rookie because of his defense, but his offensive shortcomings will see him drafted in the No. 5-8 range.

2. Jonathan Kuminga, G-League

There were some recruiting services that had Jonathan Kuminga ranked as the top recruit last year. The 6-foot-8 prospect projects as a nice two-way forward, but unless the Rockets move down five spots or so, taking him would be a reach at No. 2. His body and physical stature project to be an ideal size for his position, but his offensive game needs work. Additionally, there are some issues relating to how he approaches the game and a general refinement needed before he blossoms. He didn’t play college basketball after going to the G-League so he may be a couple of years away from being the player he can be.

1. Josh Giddey, Australia

The 19-year-old 6-foot-9 point guard is a really intriguing prospect, but he’s not the right prospect for the Rockets. Josh Giddey may be a top 6-8 pick but his youth, poor shooting — especially from 3-range — and shoddy defense leaves too many questions and holes for a Rockets team that needs an impact player right now. He’s just not the type of prospect worth passing on Mobley, Jalen Suggs or Jalen Green for. There was a time when international prospects were being over-drafted and that lure may be back again after the success of Luka Doncic, but the Rockets need to resist.

The Rockets’ best plan in the 2021 NBA Draft is to select Mobley and resist all trade overtures.