Houston Rockets 2025 NBA Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

It's a critical offseason for Houston and the Rockets would be wise to trade this pick and consolidate some of their depth for another star. However, if Houston stays on the clock, point guard is an area of need. Houston selects the Illinois star who can potentially be Fred VanVleet's successor.

Jakučionis led Illinois in scoring, tying the freshman record for total points in a season (494). He boasts vast high-level experience after playing with Barcelona and should be able to step in and provide scoring and playmaking. He will have to earn playing time on a veteran-laden team positioned for long playoff runs, though the Lithuanian will give the team depth in the backcourt.

The Rockets are loaded across each position. They have a veteran point guard in Fred VanVleet and drafted their point guard of the future in Reed Sheppard at No. 3 last year; the organization is still extremely high on Sheppard despite his lack of playing time this year. They have their center of the future in Alperen Şengün. I think they will just take the best player available in the lottery, and at this spot, that's Murray-Boyles for me. He's a tremendous defender and would fit in perfectly with how Ime Udoka wants to play. He also passes well and has serious toughness to play with many of their players. He processes the game at an elite level and is the kind of prospect the Rockets have valued in the past.

Pro Comparisons: Jalen Smith, Brandon Clarke, David Lee

The draft process creates a chance for Asa Newell to sell more scouts on his shooting. It's an obvious swing skill for upside, given what a regular three-ball can do for a 6'11" finishing weapon with excellent paint touch and encouraging defensive feet.

Newell's 29.2 three-point percentage wasn't overly convincing, but he did convert 41.5 percent of his threes at Montverde last year, while his 26 made threes at Georgia reflect clear shooting capability/potential.

Team Fit: If Newell's shooting perks up, he could complement Alperen Sengun well as a floor-spacing, switchable big off the bench. Houston also seems likely to shop this pick.

Scouting report: Jakucionis helped himself quite a bit at Illinois, where he took on an enormous role as an 18-year-old debuting at the Division I level and put together a strong season. Despite predictable ups and downs as part of that adjustment, NBA teams remain largely optimistic that his toughness, playmaking feel, size and versatility at either guard spot will lead to a promising pro career.

There have been concerns about his ability to create separation off the dribble, but Jakucionis' ball-screen savvy and room to grow as a shooter should enable him to make an impact as part of a team's rotation, at the very least. -- Woo

NBA intel and fit: The Rockets acquired swap rights to Phoenix's pick in last summer's deal with the Nets, and the Suns' underwhelming play turned it into a valuable one. After a strong regular season ended in a first-round postseason exit, this pick represents an opportunity for Houston to bolster its deep roster, whether drafting a prospect or using this selection as a trade chip.

Jakucionis wouldn't directly address a need but would give the Rockets significant backcourt depth to build with as they weigh the future of their roster, particularly if they decide to move on from Jalen Green and/or Fred VanVleet and transition toward Reed Sheppard and potentially the player they select here. -- Woo

Jakucionis was trending as a top-5 pick earlier in the season before struggling a bit against better competition that exposed some holes in his game. The Lithuanian point guard arrived in Champaign and immediately showed off his fantastic passing creativity, pull-up shooting, and ability to get to the free throw line. That's an enticing blend of skills for a 6'5 point guard, but only if he can cut down his turnovers and show more fight defensively. Big Ten defenses started blitzing Jakucionis midway through the year and found that he'd routinely throw the ball to the other team. Part of the problem is that Jakucionis is just a limited run-and-jump athlete who finished his freshman year with only one dunk. Still, Jakucionis's ability to self-create three-point looks and find unique passing angles remains worthy of lottery consideration. Getting his three-point shot more consistent will be crucial step to carving out an NBA career.

I remain skeptical that Houston keeps this pick, but Carter is someone who would have value both to any team the Rockets might do business with, and to the Rockets in support of any star they might land. Bryant played a limited role on an experienced team this past season at Arizona, where the touches and shots were spoken for more often than not. That locked him into a spacing-and-finishing role, which is likely what he'll be doing in the near future in the NBA. That role allows him to showcase his greatest skill: defense. Bryant is the kind of bendy, long, and strong athlete who can run the gamut of defensive assignments.

The best passer in the draft finds a fit in Houston on a young team to help connect it all together. Demin's highlight-level passing will elevate the Rockets' star pieces and its already-strong offense under Ime Udoka.

Jakučionis is a slick shot-creator with a creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability, carving up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers and jaw-dropping passes. But as a freshman he'd follow up those highlights with turnover brain-farts that derail the hype train. The Rockets have so many different shot creators that he could lean into his strengths as a shooter and develop his point skills in a minimized role. But they don't have the guy, so there'd certainly be pressure on KJ to become the offensive engine.

The Rockets need someone who can get a bucket in the half court; Williams is a big wing who thrives on making tough midrange jumpers and movement 3s off the catch. He's an older prospect at age 24, but still belongs on the draft radar because of his sparkplug scoring skill-set.