Inside The Rockets

Mock Draft: Rockets Grab Project Forward in Lottery

In a recent mock draft, Houston gambled on a forward who likely wouldn’t be ready in Year 1.

Derek Parker

Mar 26, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Carter Bryant (9) reacts during a practice session in preparation for an East Regional semifinal game against the Duke Blue Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Carter Bryant (9) reacts during a practice session in preparation for an East Regional semifinal game against the Duke Blue Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets are currently one of the best and hottest teams in the league, surging to the No. 2 spot in the West, where they’ll likely sit heading into their first postseason since 2020.

Despite that, they’ve positioned themselves well for the 2025 NBA Draft, too, set to add a lottery pick via the Phoenix Suns’ first round pick acquired in the offseason. While they already have a talented young core of players, that’s set to get even better in just a matter of months.

In a recent mock draft posted to YouTube, the Rockets gambled on Arizona one-and-done forward Carter Bryant with the No. 12 pick. You can watch the full video below, or read on to examine the fit between team and player:

Bryant saw a lesser statistical output than his fellow freshmen fives stars, averaging just 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals across 19 minutes per game with Arizona. Despite that, he saw great success as a role player, shooting a solid 46% overall and a decent 37% from beyond the arc.

His mostly stayed within his role as an off-ball scorer and stingy defender with the Wildcats, but projects to be great at both of those things in the NBA with his bulky 6-foot-8 frame.

The Rockets likely won’t be ready to roll rookies out for major minutes next season, as showcased by Reed Sheppard’s rookie year. But they could stash Bryant in the G League and use him in late-game situations, in order to help develop his game for the future.

A player like Bryant likely wouldn’t add much in the short-term, but could be a massive boon in a few years as a lengthy wing or forward playing off of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and more.

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Derek Parker
DEREK PARKER

Derek Parker covers the National Basketball Association, and has brought On SI five seasons of coverage across several different teams. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2020, and has experience working in print, video and radio.

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