Rafael Stone: For right player, Rockets could trade into 2020 draft - Rockets Wire

The Houston Rockets don’t currently have a selection in the NBA’s 2020 draft, owing to previous trades. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t eventually acquire one, according to new GM Rafael Stone.

In a new Q&A with Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Stone said this about their status for the league’s Nov. 18 draft:

We certainly wouldn’t mind getting into the draft, particularly if somebody becomes available we think will help us win now. We’re still in the win-now [mode], more than the develop four or five years from now mode. There are guys in the draft I think can play right away. We’ve had teams tell us they would be open to [a trade]. I think we probably can get draft picks if the right guy is there.

New #Rockets at #TXSN – Q&A with Rockets’ new GM: ‘We’re still all-in’ https://t.co/VAAoQxoyzH

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 8, 2020

Besides using current players and/or future draft compensation to acquire a 2020 pick, the Rockets could also buy one. Houston still has most of its annual cash allotment available to use in trades during the 2019-20 league year, which does not conclude until after the draft.

Before Daryl Morey’s departure, Houston’s previous GM said there was a “reasonable chance” of his team buying a draft pick, which seemed to signal that owner Tilman Fertitta had authorized spending that cash.

The Rockets have been active in recent weeks as it pertains to scouting and interviewing various draft prospects, including big man Daniel Oturu, shooting guard Terry Armstrong, and swingman Jay Scrubb.

While Stone says the Rockets have a clear win-now emphasis, given the presence veteran superstars James Harden and Russell Westbrook, it sounds as if the Houston front office believes that at least some 2020 draft prospects could still fit within that short-term mission.

Pro day numbers for SE Melbourne’s Terry Armstrong, per source:

Three-point star drill: 75%
Three-point endurance: 54%
Spot three-pointers: 18/25, 02:20
Free throw: 92%
Side-mid-side: 14/21

A lot of these numbers comparable of those projected to be drafted.

— Jake (@jakeweingarten) November 6, 2020

In addition, per source, he’s completed workouts with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Houston Rockets. Many love the potential of Scrubb. https://t.co/bmbpNfuLbf

— Jake (@jakeweingarten) November 5, 2020