Rumor: Rockets favor drafting Jalen Green with No. 2 pick
Entering the NBA draft, the Houston Rockets are said to have narrowed down their choices with the second overall pick to guards Jalen Green and Jalen Suggs.
According to some recent speculation, Green may be the favorite at this point.
The Rockets are reportedly interested in trading up to acquire the No. 1 overall pick to draft Cade Cunningham. The team has been aggressive in their pursuit of that pick and will likely continue to be as the draft approaches on Thursday.
However, if the Rockets are unsuccessful in striking a deal with the Detroit Pistons, they are also content with staying put at No. 2. According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Green has been heavily mentioned as the possible pick for the Rockets if they standpat.
The name I keep hearing attached to Houston is Green. USC’s Evan Mobley has been discussed in some circles, as well as Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs, but smart money would be on the Rockets taking the 19-year old out of the G League’s Ignite on draft night. It’s well known that head coach Stephen Silas has an affinity for versatile guards, and Green has been said to have the highest upside in his class, from a scoring, explosive and star standpoint.
Green reportedly will only work out with the Rockets and Pistons ahead of the draft, a strong indication that he and his camp believe he won’t fall past the second pick. The Rockets will have Green visit their facility and will have a great chance to get an up-close look at him.
Certainly, there have been plenty of signs pointing to Houston as the likely landing spot for Green. Of course, things can change drastically as the draft nears closer so it is far from a guarantee that will happen. In any case, it will be worth monitoring how it all unfolds.
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