BREAKING: Rockets To Pick No. 4 In 2023 NBA Draft, Out On Victor Wembanyama
HOUSTON — The 2023 NBA Draft lottery is over, and the Houston Rockets fell short of winning the sweepstakes for Victor Wembanyama.
The results of the draft lottery in Chicago concluded with the Rockets obtaining the No. 4 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft. This marks the third consecutive year Houston fell short of the top overall selection despite finishing near the bottom of the league.
In 2021, the Rockets drafted Jalen Green with the No. 2 pick. One year later, the Rockets obtained the No. 3 pick and landed Jabari Smith Jr.
Although the Rockets will miss out on Wembanyama, Houston will still have a chance to add a promising prospect to its young corps.
Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller have established themselves as the next best prospects following the French phenom. Anthony Black and twins Amen and Ausar Thompson have the potential to round out the top six selections.
The Rockets entered the draft lottery with a 14 percent chance to land the No. 1 pick — a three-way tie with the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs. The Pistons landed the No. 5 pick, while the Spurs obtained the top selection and will likely draft Wembanyama on June 22.
The 2002 NBA Draft was the last time the Rockets held the No. 1 pick, which they used to select future Hall-of-Famer and eight-time All-Star Yao Ming.
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