Rockets NBA Draft: Amen Thompson Locked At No. 4?
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets fell out of the running for Victor Wembanyama Tuesday night during the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery.
The Rockets obtained the No. 4 pick of the draft. And despite missing out on Wembanyama, general manager Rafael Stone is confident in the team's ability to add another promising prospect to their young core.
Coach Ime Udoka shared the same sentiment as Stone when expressing his excitement. And the possibility of landing Overtime Elite prospect Amen Thompson has played a significant factor in the Rockets remaining hopeful.
"Everyone gets enamored with number one, but there are tons of quality players and it's a pretty top-heavy draft," Udoka said. "The scouting department and front office have done a lot more behind the scenes, but we feel we have a really great player at the No. 4 spot."
Thompson is the consensus pick to hear his name called by the Rockets during the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22 inside the Barclays Center.
The Houston Chronicle was the first to report that Thompson will have a pre-draft interview with the Rockets on Thursday, while Bleacher Report predicted that Houston would acquire the 20-year-old two-way guard during their Seven Early Predictions For the 2023 NBA Draft.
Thompson is a 6-foot-7 guard who can play on and off the ball. And on the defensive end, Thompson's size allows him to defend players one through five.
Thompson would be an excellent plug-and-play prospect for the Rockets. He could take the helm as the starting forward who doesn't take away from Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.
And given his ball-handling and on-court vision, the Rockets could have a lineup that features three reliable playmakers. At the NBA Scouting Combine in Chicago, Thompson said he believes his talents pair well next to Green.
"It compares greatly with a player like Jalen Green," Thompson said. "He can get off the bounce too, create for others just like me."
During the 2022-23 campaign, Thompson averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds for the City Reapers. His twin brother Ausar Thompson described Amen as a great shot-maker and facilitator that any ball club would be "blessed" to add to their team this summer.
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