Draft Implications Surround Rockets' Road Game vs. Jazz

As the Houston Rockets begin their three-game road trip, a win against the Utah Jazz could create major draft implications via their lottery pick from the Nets.

May 16, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; A overall shot of the final four teams in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets have fallen short of their Play-In Tournament hopes. But despite being eliminated from contention, the Rockets are motivated to win as many games as possible to close the 2023-24 season on a positive note.

The Rockets (39-40) will have a chance to get their record back to .500 on Thursday night during a Western Conference match against the Utah Jazz. A win inside the Delta Center will help the Rockets draft lottery odds.

May 16, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; A overall shot of the final four teams in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

A Rockets victory would lock the Brooklyn Nets (32-48) into the league's ninth-worst record for the season. However, the Nets' lottery pick for the draft will go to Houston as part of the infamous trade that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in January 2021.

The Nets' misfortunes have given the Rockets a strong chance of landing a top-10 selection for the 2024 NBA Draft. They have a 50.0 percent chance of landing the ninth pick and a 25.0 percent chance of obtaining pick No. 10. Houston has a 4.5 percent chance to land the No. 1 pick for the first time since 2002, used to select Hall of Famer Yao Ming.

Coach Ime Udoka said before Houston's 116-108 victory over the Orlando Magic Tuesday night that he hasn't studied any prospects. However, Udoka plans to familiarize himself following the draft lottery on May 14, similar to how Amen Thompson became his top prospect after the Rockets fell to the No. 4 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft.

"You get a sense for who is out there," Udoka said. "Last year, when I took the job, I knew we were getting a high pick. I was honed in on Amen at the time; starting at the combine. We will see what we will get. However, My focus has been on the season while allowing the scouts to do what they do. We will dig into that after the season."

Should the Rockets keep their lottery selection, the 2024 NBA Draft will mark the fourth consecutive year the franchise will have a chance of landing a top-10 prospect.

Houston began its rebuild by drafting Jalen Green with the No. 2 pick of the 2021 NBA Draft. A year later, the Rockets landed Jabari Smith Jr. with the third overall selection.