NBA Draft: Rockets Lottery Pick Available For Trade?

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets know where they stand entering the 2023 NBA Draft. They received the No. 4 pick during the draft lottery on Tuesday. And due to the trade that sent Eric Gordon to the Los Angeles Clippers in February, the Rockets also have the 20th pick.

A source told Inside the Rockets in March Houston would explore the possibility of trading its lottery pick should the selection fall outside of the Top-3. And The Athletic have since added to the notion.

"Houston expects there to be a good amount of interest in acquiring the pick and will listen to inquiries — but are also open to potentially moving down or acquiring a win-now veteran if an opportunity presents itself. This gives them added flexibility and optimism as they enter into the next phase of their rebuild." — The Athletic

General manager Rafael Stone has expressed interest in adding veteran players this off-season. And with a lottery pick as high as four, the Rockets have their eyes set on making a run at a disgruntled All-Star player who could ask out of their situation.

But despite the interest in a trade, Houston continues to do its due diligence with the draft a month away.

Overtime Elite prospect Amen Thompson has been a prominent option for the Rockets at No. 4. The Houston Chronicle was the first to report that the Rockets had an interview scheduled with Thompson at the NBA Scouting Combine on Thursday.

During the 2022-23 campaign, Thompson averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds for the City Reapers.

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