The Rockets had the worst record in the league in 2021-22, but that just doesn’t mean as much for your chances of getting the #1 pick as it did before the NBA changed the lottery odds in 2019.
Still, Houston hit on a roughly 40% chance by landing in the top three, getting the fortunate opportunity to pick from one of the three big forwards in the 2022 NBA Draft: Jabari Smith Jr., Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero.
By most accounts, it looks clear that Banchero is the third of the three… but anything can happen.
David Weiner (ClutchFans | Twitter) joins Dave Hardisty on the podcast to discuss how the lottery unfolded, the draft order landscape in the top 4, the difference between the top three bigs, how Paolo Banchero would fit in Houston, the Rockets options at #17 and speculation on potential trade opportunities.