When the Rockets became convinced on draft day that the Magic were going to use the first overall pick on Paolo Banchero, Houston made Orlando a trade offer for that No. 1 pick, sources tell Tim MacMahon and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
As MacMahon and Windhorst explain, the Rockets had been expecting to end up with Banchero and had only recently been given Jabari Smith‘s medical information from his agent, Wallace Prather. Bill Duffy, Chet Holmgren‘s agent, told the Rockets he’d only give them Holmgren’s medicals if he got the sense that both Orlando and Oklahoma City were passing on his client.
According to ESPN’s duo, the Rockets were comfortable staying at No. 3 if Smith fell to them, but were worried about having to make a decision on Holmgren without getting much time to look over his medicals, which was why they inquired about moving up. After the Magic turned them down, the Thunder took Holmgren at No. 2, with Smith falling to Houston at No. 3 — all three teams ultimately left the draft happy, and while Banchero and Smith were surprised by where they ended up, neither was upset by the outcome.
“Jabari ended up in a place that fits who he is,” Prather said. “There was nothing but excitement on Jabari’s part about going to Houston. We love their young core. We love the city. We love the passion of their fan base.”
For what it’s worth, Banchero got the upper hand on Smith in their respective Summer League debuts on Thursday, as Tim Bontemps of ESPN writes. The Magic forward scored 17 points in Orlando’s win over Smith and the Rockets.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- A coaching assistant last season with the Rockets, Will Dunn has been promoted to an assistant coach position, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle.
- Appearing on ESPN’s NBA Today (video link), Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd confirmed that the plan is to insert newly-signed big man JaVale McGee into the starting five. McGee told ESPN when he agreed to a deal with Dallas last week that he expected to be the team’s starting center.
- The Spurs ruled out Jeremy Sochan and Joe Wieskamp for the entire Las Vegas Summer League, per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (Twitter link). Sochan missed all of the team’s pre-Vegas practices due to COVID-19, while Wieskamp, who remains a restricted free agent for San Antonio, sprained his ankle in a Tuesday practice.
- Noting that the Pelicans‘ front office has shown a knack for identifying under-the-radar talent, Christian Clark of NOLA.com identifies three players on the team’s Summer League roster who could warrant a longer look from the club.
Going from coaching assistant to assistant coach is like the bump from assistant to the regional manager to assistant regional manager.
Eason is the better pick for the Rockets
Eason? Eason who?
Tari from LSU
Are the Mavs still top 4 team in West?
Warriors
Clippers
Grizzlies
Suns
Nuggets
Wolves
Mavs
Lakers without 2027 and 2029 Firsts
No picks Lakers are better than Jazz and Pelicans?
It matters to your head.
No
GSW PHX DEN LAC clear top 4 for me. Damn fine next group tho which they land in
Grizz up Clippers down dont be ridiculous
Damn really? I was looking forward to seeing Sochan, and Wieskamp reminds me a lot of Duncan Robinson. Was hoping to see how he looked. I actually forgot about him.
Two words for the Rockets “due diligence.” It is incomprehensible having the 3rd pick and not having all of the info necessary to make a decision on the players that could be available at that spot. They seemingly let the ramblings of other teams affect how they prepared for the draft. That’s a no no.
It clearly says they asked but were told they would only be given the info if it was clear he would fall. Two words: reading comprehension
Javale McGee!
Really? HOU never got medicals on CH and only got them on JS right before the draft, despite HOU asking for them earlier? I’m skeptical. But if they made a timely request, and this was the result, then it’s a league matter. This isn’t like refusing a team workout, which would almost certainly not have any relevance to the team’s decision.
As a Rockets fan, I liked how this draft went and the 3 young players they drafted. I’m really excited about Smith and TyTy. Both can do very well with Sengun, Green, Tate Jr, and Garuba. I feel with Christopher stepping in and Gordon on his way out, KPJ and Martin Jr are on the block. Possibly Schroder and Matthews too. I like Schroder and wish he’d stick around, but understand that he wouldn’t want to play with a young team like the Rockets. Wood and Wall are gone and glad that is over. I just think MartinJr, KPJ, Matthews, and NIx should be moved by trade or DFA. Having back to back 3 first round picks, clogged up half the roster. Matthews can be released since I doubt any team would be interested in him. Nix, KPJ, Martin Jr, and Schroder can draw interest after FA dries up.