2023 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Arkansas guards, SEC prominent in lottery

The Hornets are the most depressing team in the NBA, but Houston might be the most directionless. The talent is there on the surface — Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun are legitimate building blocks — but the lack of discipline and winning spirit on the roster is disheartening to watch.

It’s difficult to call Houston the best landing spot for any prospect as a result. But, on paper, Cam Whitmore would be well-positioned to maximize his skill set while accentuating the other core pieces on Houston’s roster.

At 6-foot-7, the Villanova product is one of the draft’s many absurd athletes. With the explosive downhill speed of a running back and unfathomable leaping ability, Whitmore has little trouble collapsing defenses and putting pressure on the rim. He’s great at powering through contact, an attribute that figures to survive the always-challenging transition to the NBA.

Whitmore hasn’t had the most consistent season, but the pathway to stardom is plain for all to see. He has the power and strength of the NBA’s best wings, combined with shot-making potential at all three levels and legitimate All-Defense capacity if he puts his mind to it. Whitmore would have a field day exploding down the lane out of DHOs with Sengun. Meanwhile, between him and Green, the Rockets should be able to get into the paint at will.