The 2026 NBA Draft is nearing. The draft is on June 23rd and 24th — the literal definition of around the corner.
The Houston Rockets hold two picks in this year’s draft, which is a bit unusual, as the Rockets typically sacrifice their draft picks for proven talent. Buy and large, the Rockets have generally been in a contending state.
When jockeying for a title, you have to go all-in. The window is short. This year’s Rockets team has several needs.
And just two second-round draft picks, the 39th pick and
53rd pick. However, this is a loaded draft, at both the top and the back end. The Rockets can add difference makers at both spots.
I put on the General Manager hat and made the selections for the Rockets.
Pick #39 – Ugonna Onyenso- Center -Virginia
There’s a possibility that Onyenso may not be on the board when the Rockets make this pick. Onyenso has been going in the early 30s in many mock drafts, in part because of the number of big men that decided to return to school, in the name of NIL riches (and development, in some cases).
Onyenso is a bit limited offensively, but he’s shown the ability to knock down the occasional outside shot. And he’s got good touch around the rim.
But let’s face it. This pick isn’t about offense. It’s about Onyenso’s defensive strengths, particularly rim protecting and/or shot blocking. He was one of the best in the country at it. Cam Boozer saw firsthand, as Onyenso blocked four of his shots, when they faced off. Onyenso averaged a nation-leading 2.9 blocks (and a 17.4 percent block rate).
His 7-foot-5 wingspan is tough for opponents to deal with. And Houston needs to be looking for a long-term replacement for Steven Adams.
It’s worth taking a gander around other mock drafts to see what other prognosticators have the Rockets doing with this pick. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman actually has the Rockets taking Onyenso here as well.
However, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has the Rockets taking Purdue point guard Braden Smith here.
Pick #53 – Otega Oweh -Wing-Kentucky
The Rockets need wings that can shoot from deep. Otega Oweh isn’t exactly that.
But his outside shot is a work in progress. In his first year as a starter at Oklahoma, he made 37.7 percent from long range. He made 35.5 percent from three in his first year at Kentucky and 33.3 percent this past season.
The percentages have declined slightly but the volume has gone up (1.7 attempts as a sophomore, 2.1 attempts as a junior and 3.8 attempts as a senior). His outside shot needs continued improvement. But it’s not like Oweh can’t score.
He averaged 18.6 points this past season, which led Kentucky and ranked sixth in the SEC. He’s marvelous at attacking and getting to the rim.
It’s tough to stop him when he gets downhill. And he’s a good defender, which will get the attention of Rockets coach Ime Udoka.
A quick peruse around other mock drafts shows Wasserman’s projection of the Rockets selecting Wyatt Fricks of Marshall here. Vecenie has the Rockets taking UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau.
As for the top pick, our friends over at Fanduel have AJ Dybantsa at -450, followed by Darryn Peterson at +380, Cameron Boozer at +1700, Caleb Wilson at +7500 and Darius Acuff at +20000.
