All articles tagged with #rafael stone
Houston Rockets GM Rafael Stone explained that acquiring Kevin Durant was driven by his elite scoring ability and work ethic, emphasizing the team's shift from a developmental focus to contending now, and highlighted the team's strategic moves including trading Cam Whitmore and re-signing Clint Capela to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.
Houston Rockets' GM Rafael Stone expressed his shock at landing Villanova's Cam Whitmore with the 20th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, after the consensus top-10 pick slid down the draft boards of other teams. Stone revealed that the Rockets had tried to trade up to secure Whitmore, who was considered a major steal for the franchise. Whitmore's slide was reportedly due to "trepidation surrounding his medicals," but Stone was comfortable with the medical records received. The Rockets are currently searching for high-end talent to accelerate their current rebuild.
The Houston Rockets selected Cam Whitmore, a Villanova forward, with the No. 20 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, adding shooting and scoring to their roster. Whitmore was projected to be picked in the top five but slipped to No. 20, possibly due to medical concerns. The Rockets also selected Overtime Elite point guard Amen Thompson with their No. 4 pick. Fans and analysts are praising Rockets general manager Rafael Stone for his shrewd moves in the draft, which included trading Eric Gordon to acquire the No. 20 pick. The Rockets' young core now includes Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Cam Whitmore.
The Houston Rockets selected Cam Whitmore with the 20th pick in the NBA Draft after trading Eric Gordon and a Bucks pick to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Rockets also selected Amen Thompson with the fourth pick. The Mavericks made a surprising move to get off Davis Bertans' contract and selected Duke center Dereck Lively II with the 12th pick. UH's Jarace Walker was taken by the Washington Wizards with the eighth overall pick, becoming the University of Houston’s highest selection since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984. Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar, became the first set of twins to be picked in the top 10 of the same NBA draft.
The Houston Rockets fell to the No. 4 pick in the upcoming NBA draft lottery, missing out on top prospects Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Brandon Miller. The Rockets may look to draft Overtime Elite's Amen or Ausar Thompson or college talents like Jarace Walker, Taylor Hendricks, or Grady Dick. Alternatively, they could trade the pick for a veteran player like Pascal Siakam or make a big-name trade to make a splash.
The Houston Rockets are considering their options for retaining small forward Kenyon Martin Jr., who is extension-eligible and has a team option for the 2023/24 season. The future of Rockets general manager Rafael Stone may depend on his performance during the 2023 offseason, which includes hiring a new head coach and using over $60MM in available cap space. Rockets rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and TyTy Washington Jr. reflect on their intense first NBA season. The next Rockets head coach will have the opportunity to select their own staff.
The Houston Rockets' tanking era has come to an end, and the team is now looking towards the future. While improvement may come easily, getting back to contention will be a challenge. The 2020-2021 season was a low point for the team, with James Harden demanding a trade and the team struggling to find its footing. The 2021-2022 season saw the emergence of promising rookies Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, but also some frustrating moments. The 2022-2023 season has been a mixed bag, with Jabari Smith Jr. showing star potential and Tari Eason proving to be a clear hit. The team is now looking for a new head coach and potential new players to help them move forward.