Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images The 2024 NBA Draft presents an intriguing situation for the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets may be in the most intriguing position of any team as the 2024 NBA Draft slowly approaches. They have a young core that they can feel confident in moving forward. It might be the best the league offers, with the exception of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are years ahead of schedule due to general manager Sam Presti’s brilliance. PG: Amen Thompson SG: Jalen Green SF: Cam Whitmore PF: Jabari Smith C: Alperen Sengun Sixth Man: Tari Eason The current era of the league suggests that the Rockets’ lineup may undergo significant changes in the next five years. Adding to the intrigue is Houston holds the No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft. Will they use this pick to strengthen the young core? Or will they leverage it in a trade to further elevate the team’s immediate ceiling? Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone faces a challenging decision. Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky 
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports Three-point shooters aren’t hard to find these days, but elite snipers who take smart shots and can get teammates involved are typically rare. Fortunately for Houston, the opportunity to draft one could present itself if Atlanta or Washington doesn’t select Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard. Sheppard attended the John Calipari School for bucket-getters last season at Kentucky. He looks to be the latest Wildcat to excel in the league. Though he was a three-point specialist in college, don’t be fooled. Devin Booker of the Phoenix Stars was used similarly during his time with the Wildcats while coming off the bench. This isn’t a prediction that Sheppard will become Booker, just a reminder that college basketball and the NBA have entirely different playstyles. Sheppard’s game fits the pros better than the NCAA. Sheppard logged 12.5 points per game on the year with 4.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from beyond the arc. Donovan Clingan, C, UConn 
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images If a team can’t protect the rim, they probably won’t have much success. That makes UConn forward Donovan Clingan incredibly appealing. He was dominant en route to the Huskies’ second consecutive national championship. In five games during the NCAA Tournament, he averaged 3.2 blocks, along with 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. Those numbers are impressive for any big man; they really pop out for Clingan because he stands 7-foot-2 and has the necessary athleticism for his shot-blocking ability to translate to the NBA. Houston is hyper-athletic and should excel at playing passing lanes as the young players continue to develop. A missed time steal attempt could lead to a drive to the basket, and it would be much less costly if Clingan were there to disrupt scoring opportunities. Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite 
Photo by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images The G League Ignite paved Jalen Green’s way to Houston. Perhaps it’ll do the same for 6-foot-10 forward Matas Buzelis. The lanky 19-year-old watched from the sidelines during the first three months of the G League season due to ankle injuries. He eventually returned to the hardwood and showed NBA scouts plenty to be excited about. While averaging 14.1 points and 6.6 rebounds, Buzelis showed he’s still improving on defense. Still, progress was evident, showing a desire to be elite on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Buzelis can knock down shots from beyond the arc and is a capable facilitator. Though Houston already boasts two distributors in Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, having a trio of unselfish players is far from misfortune. Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee 
Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images Tennessee forward Dalton Knecht is a transfer portal success story. He spent two seasons with Northern Colorado before joining the Volunteers. From there, it didn’t take long for Knetch to become one of the more recognizable names in men’s college basketball. He poured in 21.7 points per game with 4.9 rebounds while shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc. He’s 23 years old and would likely be ready to contribute immediately. Now it’s worth mentioning that picking him at No. 3 is likely a reach, but if Houston feels they have their future five established, perhaps they will trade down a few spots and select Knecht with the plan of making him a long-term sixth man. Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/2024/5/15 ... d-sheppard