In the summer of 2023, the Houston Rockets were aggressive in free agency, signing Fred VanVleet (three-year, $130 million) and Dillon Brooks (four-year, $80 million) to massive deals. Their decision to accelerate their rebuild so quickly was head-scratching at the time, as they finished the 2022-23 season with a 22-60 record. It felt as though VanVleet and Brooks were myopic band-aid solutions instead of pieces to move the needle and put them into contention status as their contracts suggested.
That was certainly the case in 2023-24, as Houston finished in "no man's land" with a 41-41 record. But one grossly underestimated thing was just how special the Rockets' young core is. They already had the foundation in place between Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Tari Eason. However, the Rockets were still missing one key piece of their core, which they found in that same 2023 offseason before inking those massive free-agency deals.
Revisiting the 2023 NBA Draft
Of course, the 2023 draft class is headlined by Victor Wembanyama, but there were a lot of other difference-makers in the mix as well. Here is how the lottery played out in the 2023 NBA Draft:
- 1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, Metropolitans 92
- 2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, Alabama
- 3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite
- 4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, Overtime Elite
- 5. Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson, Overtime Elite
- 6. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black, Arkansas
- 7. Indiana Pacers: Bilal Coulibaly, Metropolitans 92 (traded to Wizards)
- 8. Washington Wizards: Jarace Walker, Houston (traded to Pacers)
- 9. Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, UCF
- 10. Dallas Mavericks: Cason Wallace, Kentucky (traded to Thunder)
- 11. Orlando Magic: Jett Howard, Michigan
- 12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Dereck Lively II, Duke (traded to Mavericks)
- 13. Toronto Raptors: Gradey Dick, Kansas
- 14. New Orleans Pelicans: Jordan Hawkins, Connecticut
Amen Thompson is playing a crucial role for the second-seeded Rockets
In retrospect, the Rockets' decision to overpay veterans in free agency makes much more sense as it was more of a bode of confidence towards their young core. Their core has drastically improved the past two seasons, and their record has followed, as they now sit second in the loaded Western Conference at 15-7. A record like that is the result of contributions from multiple players, but former No. 4 overall pick Amen Thompson is quickly becoming a vital piece for Houston.
Thompson is a do-it-all player whose intangibles and impact on winning aren't entirely reflected in the box score. Still, he's averaging an impressive 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game on 55/27/70 shooting splits. His three-point shooting has drastically improved from his 13.8 percent as a rookie. Unfortunately, the Portland Trail Blazers can't say the same about the prospect they selected just one pick before Thompson.
Thompson is what the Blazers hoped Scoot Henderson would be
Scoot Henderson had a rollercoaster rookie season with more lows than highs, especially relative to expectations as a No. 3 pick. Blazers fans hoped he'd be more consistent this year with an entire NBA season under his belt, but that has yet to be the case. His scoring has dipped from 14.0 to 11.7 points per game, while his other statistical categories have remained largely unchanged. That's concerning, as Scoot has yet to address essential weaknesses of his game—his three-point shooting (32 percent) and turnovers (3.1 per game).
The primary appeal for Henderson as a prospect was his freak athleticism, which is apparent when he is in transition or any other situation in which he can get downhill and attack the paint. To his credit, Scoot has looked much more comfortable finishing around the rim so far this season. However, the issue lies when Henderson can't effectively or consistently get inside the paint.
That's not entirely on Henderson. The Blazers certainly haven't done a great job setting him up for success in that aspect, as they have ranked towards the bottom in three-point shooting percent the past two seasons, which has shrunk the floor for Henderson.
Henderson was picked ahead of Thompson mainly because of his higher upside, particularly on the offensive end. But that untapped potential remains just that—untapped. That will never be fully unlocked until Henderson improves in key areas, and he hasn't shown promising signs that he'll be able to put it together consistently anytime soon.
Both players are elite athletes, but Thompson utilizes his gift more impactfully as someone who can guard multiple positions with his 6-foot-7 frame and 7-foot wingspan to pair with his elite agility and 40-plus inch vertical.
Thompson isn't the Rockets' best player, but he's been a valuable role player as a 21-year-old on a contender who elevates their overall level play with his well-rounded game as a playmaker, rebounder, and defender. He would have been an ideal fit with the identity Blazers GM Joe Cronin has been emphasizing with the young core he's been building. Add this one to the list of players the Blazers missed by a single pick.