Assuming the Houston Rockets keep their pick at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, it remains unclear who will be on the board when the clock starts on Thursday, June 23.
The consensus top-three prospects are Gonzaga big Chet Holmgren, Duke forward Paolo Banchero, and Auburn forward Jabari Smith, with conventional wisdom suggesting that Houston will select whoever is left after Orlando and Oklahoma City make the first two picks.
In a post-lottery podcast, ESPN league insider Adrian Wojnarowski and draft expert Mike Schmitz are predicting that Banchero will be one still available to the Rockets at No. 3. If that’s the case, both appear to be high on Banchero’s fit with Jalen Green and the young Rockets.
