Kelly Iko, the Athletic's Rockets' beat reporter, just released an article where he predicts Rafael Stone's big board based on the interviews and conversations he's had with those in the organization. The list is as follows:
Assuming Sarr and Risacher go first and second respectively, he believes the Rockets preferences are
Nikola Topic
Matas Buzelis
Stephon Castle
Donovan Clingan
Reed Sheppard
It's worth mentioning... Iko, along with many other general beat writers, have been wrong before on these kinds of things. But given this is one of a few legitimate reports we have on the matter, I'm inclined to react to it with a considerable grain of truth. If you know me, you know I absolutely need the Rockets to draft Reed Sheppard (assuming that we keep the pick). This is obviously a pretty drastic difference of opinion. If these reports are true, I have some qualms.
First, let's discuss Nikola Topic. While I'm very up and down on him individually, I'm a lot less of a fan of his fit with our team. I really don't think we have the room for another project guard- Amen Thompson not only has the otherwordly potential and upside we need at the position, but he also has a certain need in terms of development, time, and space. We still aren't even close to giving Amen the level of freedom he needs to develop as a true point guard, and taking Topic would really, really hurt that even further. And while yes, I'm saying we should take another guard in Reed Sheppard, I don't feel there's any illusion about Reed's fit with us. He is an excellent off-ball complement to our team in every way.
Buzelis is a bit more complicateed- I like him, and I think he has a more-or-less neutral fit with our team, but again, it just doesn't feel like the move with the pick. We're continuing to develop Jabari, and we also have Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason at forward, who are considered extremely valuable pieces in our young core, not to mention consummate fits with our schemes. I just don't see value in taking Buzelis either.
Castle is in fact, an even MORE intense example of a guard we shouldn't draft. Amen Thompson is, in literally every sense, a better version of the guard we would hope for Castle to become. I don't understand taking him.
I won't discuss Clingan at 4 and Reed at 5, because this post is about pointing out that these two guys should be the top two prospects for our team. While I have a huge preference for Reed, even taking Clingan makes far more sense than taking Topic, Buzelis, or Castle. I really don't understand this list we've received. I reeeeaaaalllllyyy hope it's inaccurate. Really. Reeeallly.