RealGM

Where will it be? Right now it is 25, I'm predicting it goes down to 19. They are 4 games up on the Cavs, who are at 19 right now. Dwight is out for the next month, and here are the other teams that would have to jump them (3 games or less) while Joey Dorsey starts at Center:

Clips
Mavs
Bulls
Spurs
Wiz

You better hope Dwight comes back fast because they're worse with him.

They are still better long term with Dwight even if he's not anywhere near the player he used to be. I do think Houston will fall a bit in the standings but probably around the 21-22nd pick.

They got some good teams that will be turning it up a notch..
I will be rooting for them to lose also...

The way Mitch gives away first round picks, we might never see this one.

I could see it being sold or packaged with our other 2 seconds.

I really think that KJ McDaniels trade is going to make them a lot better.

hopefully we could land Tyus Jones with this pick.

he is like rich man Tyler Ennis, and has great basketball mind and vision, he is pass first too, could easily play alongside another scorer in the wing.

The pick is currently tied because of the Rockets and Blazer conference records the Blazers are placed 25th. Not worried about that though, I'm worried about the player taken there. Tankathon.com has the Lakers taking Dakari Johnson from Kentucky, not a bad pick because he'll be a rim protector/ credible post defender on next level.

DraftExpress has us taking Trey Lyles at the same spot and Johnson going in the second round. Now from watching both I think Lyles is better and more athletic than Johnson. I'd be ok with either because both are rim protectors and that's where we need to start on defense at.

Houston won't fall out of the top 20 with Dwight injured. Harden is playing like a man possessed and the team seems to play better without Dwight. Morey is an overrated GM, but I'll give him credit that he's not afraid to make a move and address his team's weaknesses. He got KJ McDaniels for nothing and Picked up Priogioni to sure up his PG position. Plus they have a lottery pick in the upcoming draft.

They still have a tough stretch coming with the raps, clips, grizz and hawks.

I like Hollis-Jefferson, Jordan Mickey (LSU), Norman Powell, Frank Kaminsky, Tyus Jones.

Delon Wright would be nice with that HOU 1st.

Well Mitch loves to find a way to not add draft picks. We shall see.

If we end up keeping our top 5 pick, I would not be opposed to trading away this first rounder for a future first especially if there isn't anyone that will make an immediate impact. If we think about it, we will have Randle, Clarkson, next year's first, Houston's first and next year's early 2nd rounder plus the late 2nd rounder.

I'm not expecting much from that late 2nd rounder so even without it, we will have 5 players who we will be developing with 1st round talent. 2 of them lottery (including Randle). So its not a bad idea to defer than 2nd 1st rounder especially since we have a very high 2nd round pick which will be around the same talent level but at half the price and even less cap hold.

dipstick wrote:If we end up keeping our top 5 pick, I would not be opposed to trading away this first rounder for a future first especially if there isn't anyone that will make an immediate impact. If we think about it, we will have Randle, Clarkson, next year's first, Houston's first and next year's early 2nd rounder plus the late 2nd rounder.

I'm not expecting much from that late 2nd rounder so even without it, we will have 5 players who we will be developing with 1st round talent. 2 of them lottery (including Randle). So its not a bad idea to defer than 2nd 1st rounder especially since we have a very high 2nd round pick which will be around the same talent level but at half the price and even less cap hold.

Its not like we will be competing for a chip next year. Why not start the rebuild as soon as possible and letting a young group develop together instead of kicking the can down the road? Also, let them experience Kobes intensity in the final year of his career. Heck, he can probably teach them more post moves than anyone else out there. I'm thinking Towns with the 3 or 4 pick, Tyus Jones with 20-25, and Dakari Johnson with the early second, and Harrison with the late 2nd.

Johnson Towns Randle and Harrison all know each other from Kentucky, and I think Tyus will be a steal that late, he is just "undersized" at 6'0''.

Say we get Rondo and have Kobe for Clarkson Jones and Harrison to learn under. Resign Booz for cheap and maybe somehow get an old wiley Big vet like a Kaman type for all the young bigs to learn from.

Rondo Tyus Jones
Kobe Clarkson Harrison
Wes Young Kelly
Randle Booz Black
Towns Kaman Dakari Johnson

We'd still have experience on this team
Kobe- 19 years
Booz-13 years
Kaman- 12 years
Rondo- 9 years
Young- 8 years
Wes- 5 years

2016- Durant

Michael Lucky wrote:They are still better long term with Dwight even if he's not anywhere near the player he used to be. I do think Houston will fall a bit in the standings but probably around the 21-22nd pick.

Dwight is the ultimate role player. He runs the floor, is a rebounding monster and is great on put backs. Harden is the leader and Dwight understands that. The Rockets wont win play-off ball w/o Dwight. I hope the pick is high but I doubt it will be. I would bet on # 23.

Mamba Venom wrote:

Michael Lucky wrote:They are still better long term with Dwight even if he's not anywhere near the player he used to be. I do think Houston will fall a bit in the standings but probably around the 21-22nd pick.

Dwight is the ultimate role player. He runs the floor, is a rebounding monster and is great on put backs. Harden is the leader and Dwight understands that. The Rockets wont win play-off ball w/o Dwight. I hope the pick is high but I doubt it will be. I would bet on # 23.

I would think 22 or 23 is the highest this can go. Struggling teams like the Spurs, Bulls and Raptors hold 20th-22nd positions. I don't think the Rockets will bypass 2 of them. Hopefully a few more spots up to 24 or 25 though.