The Houston Rockets, over the past several seasons, have been one of the premier franchises in the NBA at managing their draft resources, having amassed a young core of players and still retaining many of their future picks with which to either replenish their stock or pull off complementary trades to build out their championship-contending roster.
Yet, this season, the Rockets owe the rights to swap their first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and, according to Sports Illustrated's recent mock draft, their bitter rival could take the perfect prospect from right under Houston's nose: forward Sergio de Larrea of Valencia Basket.
While it is unlikely that the Thunder will hold on to all of their first-round picks this year, given the fact that there is a possibility they will have five separate selections, it is still very possible that they hold onto the Rockets' pick in order to make a selection late in the first round. If they do so, it will be a bitter pill to swallow for Houston fans.
Thunder take Sergio de Larrea with the Rockets' pick in recent mock draft
The Rockets have little to complain about concerning the moves that their front office has made over the past few seasons. However, their trade for Russell Westbrook, who played only one season in Houston before being shipped off to the Washington Wizards, continues to haunt them.
In the deal, they either outright gave or allowed swap rights to four of their first-round picks, and the 2026 Draft represents the last one in which the Thunder will still hold these rights. The pick this season is top-four protected, meaning it will almost certainly convey.
While the Rockets are not necessarily in desperate need of more young talent, giving anything away to one of your most bitter rivals is always a painful ask, and de Larrea, with his perimeter shooting skill-set, is a valuable asset to part with.
Through his seven games with Valencia Basket in the Spanish Liga ACB, de Larrea is averaging 7.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.8% from beyond the arc on moderate volume. Although he has slowed down a bit from his hot start to the season, he will be "one of the class’s top international bets" according to Sports Illustrated's Derek Parker.
If there's one thing that the Rockets still need, it's additional 3-point shooting on their roster, and getting cost-controlled players through the draft is one of the most effective ways to accomplish that for contending teams.
Therefore, not only has Houston likely ceded a valuable opportunity to draft a promising young international player this year, they have effectively gifted him to the best team in the Western Conference.