Inside The Rockets

NBA Mock Draft: Rockets Grab Defensive Stopper

The Houston Rockets fortify their defense in a recent mock draft.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) fights for the ball with North Carolina Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) and guard Drake Powell (9) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Dec 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) fights for the ball with North Carolina Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) and guard Drake Powell (9) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets have one of the league's deepest young cores, but they have a first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft that can add to that.

In a recent mock draft from Space City Scoop analyst James Piercey, the Rockets select North Carolina forward Drake Powell with the No. 19 overall pick.

"Powell feels like a "Udoka guy". He's garnering Herb Jones comparisons. There were questions about Powell's shooting heading into the season, but so far, he's shooting 40% from deep," Piercey writes.

"He's also flashed very little ability to create for himself. Powell is only mustering 5.7 points per game at the moment. That's fine. The Rockets should be looking to add rotation players at this point. Powell fits their identity, and should be able to work his way into the rotation over the next couple of years."

Powell would be a developmental piece for the Rockets, but he has all the tools you want to see in a first-round pick. He can learn behind the current core in hopes of becoming a name for himself within the next few years for the Rockets.

The Rockets are back in action tomorrow night as they travel north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT inside Scotiabank Arena.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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