{"id":41480,"date":"2021-07-30T09:28:47","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T13:28:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=41480"},"modified":"2021-07-30T09:28:47","modified_gmt":"2021-07-30T13:28:47","slug":"houston-rockets-tremendous-draft-night-grades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2021\/07\/30\/houston-rockets-tremendous-draft-night-grades\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Rockets have Tremendous Draft Night: Grades"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Houston Rockets had a wonderful 2021 NBA <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/basketball\/nba\/nba-draft\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Draft<\/a> making four selections in the first round. After an ugly 2020 campaign that saw an underwhelming return for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hardeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Harden<\/a><\/strong>, the Rockets bounced back in a big way. Let&#8217;s take a look at the Houston Rockets draft grades.<\/p>\n<h2>2021 NBA Draft: Houston Rockets Grades<\/h2>\n<h3>Houston Rockets Take Scoring Dynamo Jalen Green<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">HOUSTON ROCKETS<\/p>\n<p>With the #2 pick, the Houston Rockets select Jalen Green, a shooting guard from the G-Leagues Ignite.<\/p>\n<p>SEASON AVERAGES: <\/p>\n<p>17.9 points<br \/>4.1 rebounds<br \/>2.8 assist<br \/>46.1 &#8211; 36.5 &#8211; 82.9<\/p>\n<p>GRADE: A+ <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uUMoVm5Ndr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/uUMoVm5Ndr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Thunder Roundtable (@NBASkoolOfThort) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBASkoolOfThort\/status\/1421009327670718466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Arguably the most gifted scorer in this class,<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/greenja05.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Green<\/a><\/strong> will bring fire back to the Houston Rockets organization. One year after trading <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hardeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Harden<\/a> <\/strong>for pennies on the dollar, Green&#8217;s arrival rejuvenates a franchise that was in disarray. He makes an explosive backcourt with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=porteke01,porteke02&amp;search=Kevin+Porter&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Porter<\/a><\/strong> Jr. and Rockets fans will be thoroughly entertained.<\/p>\n<p>The Rockets must move on from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/walljo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Wall<\/a><\/strong>&#8216;s ludicrous contract in the off-season to move into a new era but the future is bright.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">GRADE: A+<\/span><\/h3>\n<h3>Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder Do Business<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">NBA DRAFT NIGHT TRADE<\/p>\n<p>The Houston Rockets make a deal with Oklahoma City to acquire the #16 pick.<\/p>\n<p>HOU receives #16<\/p>\n<p>OKC receives 2022 first-round pick (via DET)<br \/>2023 first-round pick (via WAS)<\/p>\n<p>GRADES: <\/p>\n<p>HOU &#8211; A<br \/>OKC &#8211; B <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vyevi6Bdu2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/vyevi6Bdu2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Thunder Roundtable (@NBASkoolOfThort) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBASkoolOfThort\/status\/1421011742214148097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>This trade was initially very confusing as Houston sent two future firsts to Oklahoma City for pick 16. However, once the dust settled, the Rockets made a sensational move given both picks are heavily protected.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">OKC\/HOU TRADE BREAKDOWN<\/p>\n<p>HOU sent 2x1sts to OKC for #16<\/p>\n<p>2022 1st (via DET)<br \/>Protected 1-16 in 2022, 1-18 in 2023 &amp; 2024, 1-13 in 2025, 1-12 in 2026, 1-10 in 2027, 2RP in 2028<\/p>\n<p>2023 1st (via WAS)<br \/>Protected 1-15 in 2023, 1-12 in 2024, 1-10 in 2025, 1-8 in 2026, 2x 2RP in 2027<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Thunder Roundtable (@NBASkoolOfThort) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBASkoolOfThort\/status\/1421046429296988163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The 2022 pick acquired from Detroit came in the<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/woodch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christian Wood<\/a><\/strong> sign and trade deal last off-season while the Washington pick came via the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/westbru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Russell Westbrook<\/strong><\/a>-John Wall trade. Houston&#8217;s motivation is to build a team as soon as possible but this was a great move by the Rockets management.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">GRADE: A<\/span><\/h3>\n<h3>Houston Swing on Turkish League MVP Aleperen Sengun<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">With the #16 pick, the Houston Rockets select Alperen Sengun from Besiktas J.K of the Turkish Super League.<\/p>\n<p>SEASON AVERAGES: <\/p>\n<p>19.2 points<br \/>9.4 rebounds<br \/>2.5 assist<br \/>64.6 &#8211; 19 &#8211; 81.2<\/p>\n<p>GRADE: B+ <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TcZWLUvBbN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/TcZWLUvBbN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Thunder Roundtable (@NBASkoolOfThort) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBASkoolOfThort\/status\/1421014352459485187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sengual01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alperen Sengun<\/strong><\/a> is a solid selection at the 18th spot. The Basketball Super League MVP is a monster on the block and it will be interesting to see how Houston deploys him next to Wood. Selecting an MVP in one of the world&#8217;s strongest basketball leagues is a huge win at this spot.<\/p>\n<p>He has question marks regarding his defensive acumen but he is a great post scorer at 18-years-old and gives Houston a different look on offense.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>GRADE: B+<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Usman Garuba Brings Defensive Intensity<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">HOUSTON ROCKETS<\/p>\n<p>With the #23 pick, the Houston Rockets select Usman Garuba from Real Madrid.<\/p>\n<p>SEASON AVERAGES: <\/p>\n<p>4.0 points<br \/>4.1 rebounds<br \/>0.8 assist<br \/>50.4 &#8211; 27.5 &#8211; 59.5<\/p>\n<p>GRADE: A <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/X8Y9yt8a73\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/X8Y9yt8a73<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Thunder Roundtable (@NBASkoolOfThort) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBASkoolOfThort\/status\/1421016524098183169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/garubus01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Usman Garuba<\/a><\/strong> is arguably the best defensive big man in this draft class who&#8217;s proven himself at Real Madrid. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2021\/04\/16\/usman-garuba-2021-nba-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Garuba<\/a> has spent the past four years playing in the Liga ACB, making his senior debut at 16 years old. This past season, the big man was a key cog in their championship run.<\/p>\n<p>Garuba is a defensive menace but it is his offense that holds the key to his career. At pick 23 though, this is fantastic value.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>GRADE: A<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Rockets Select Microwave Scorer Josh Christopher<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">HOUSTON ROCKETS<\/p>\n<p>With the #24 pick, the Houston Rockets select Josh Christopher from Arizona State University.<\/p>\n<p>SEASON AVERAGES: <\/p>\n<p>14.3 points<br \/>4.7 rebounds<br \/>1.4 assists<br \/>43.2 &#8211; 30.5 &#8211; 80<\/p>\n<p>GRADE: B- <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/I0kSUK0m3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/I0kSUK0m3D<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Thunder Roundtable (@NBASkoolOfThort) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBASkoolOfThort\/status\/1421018906160816132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Acquiring <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/chrisjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Christopher<\/a><\/strong> was a confusing selection given his mid-range heavy scoring skills. It&#8217;s clear that Houston is going all-in offensively but how he fits onto their roster remains unknown. He is a ball-dominant, off-the-dribble scorer who rarely played off the ball at Arizona so this will be an interesting adjustment for him.<\/p>\n<p>If he adjusts, he will be a nice complementary scorer in a sixth-man role.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">GRADE: B-<\/span><\/h3>\n<h3>Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p>This was a tremendous night for both the Houston organization and its fans. The selection of Green, Sengun, Garuba, and Christopher provides the Rockets with a positive future that doesn&#8217;t include continuous tanking for picks. Management did a great job being aggressive and making every post a winner.<\/p>\n<p>The Houston Rockets are one of the biggest winners on draft night in my opinion. They deserve all the praise they can get.<\/p>\n<h3>Final Grade: A+<\/h3>\n<p>Main Photo<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"N59MB_tnRcFos-f5UUuGeA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1231900456\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'N59MB_tnRcFos-f5UUuGeA',sig:'eHjCM6vPANxMaccJMIdCl5w8bdCaZkDMwrN1xhsUZGs=',w:'594px',h:'410px',items:'1231900456',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Houston Rockets had a wonderful 2021 NBA Draft making four selections in the first round. After an ugly 2020 campaign that saw an underwhelming return for James Harden, the Rockets bounced back in a big way. Let&#8217;s take a look at the Houston Rockets draft grades. 2021 NBA Draft: Houston Rockets Grades Houston Rockets [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3477,"featured_media":41498,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,31,62,556],"tags":[4279,4293,333,3256,4394,4232],"class_list":["post-41480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-rockets","category-nba","category-nba-draft","tag-2021-nba-draft","tag-alperen-sengun","tag-houston-rockets","tag-jalen-green","tag-josh-christopher","tag-usman-garuba"],"modified_by":"Matthew Waldman","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3477"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41480"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41480\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41498"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}