After three consecutive seasons in the lottery, the Houston Rockets have secured only the fourth overall pick—hardly the grand prize fans hoped for. According to Crickex Login sources, despite landing seven first-round picks over the past three years, the team still lacks clear direction. Many players were given minutes based on talent and draft position alone, with little development strategy under former coach Stephen Silas. That’s set to change under new head coach Ime Udoka, who brings a no-nonsense approach focused on two-way excellence.

Unfortunately, with just the fourth pick, the Rockets don’t hold all the cards. Victor Wembanyama is a lock for San Antonio at No. 1, and Houston may be left choosing from whoever the Hornets and Trail Blazers pass on. Two schools of thought have emerged: some analysts believe Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and James Harden have already reached a quiet agreement, meaning Houston would skip drafting a point guard in anticipation of Harden’s return and instead use their pick on a high-upside forward.

The other theory is a reverse logic: if the Rockets draft a point guard—either Amen Thompson or Scoot Henderson—it signals Harden’s return is off the table. Crickex Login analysts confirm that Houston is strongly leaning toward a guard, with Thompson and Henderson seen as the most gifted at the position in this class. Despite declining a workout with Houston, Henderson remains a potential steal if he unexpectedly slips to the fourth pick.

The Rockets have already brought in Amen Thompson for a workout and were reportedly impressed. They also see the talent gap between Thompson, Henderson, and Brandon Miller as narrower than commonly believed. Given that the Hornets and Blazers already have point guards, the Rockets may still have an ideal guard fall into their lap without needing to trade up. Meanwhile, Cam Whitmore also impressed in workouts, offering Houston a solid forward option should plans shift.

Head coach Ime Udoka now holds significant influence over roster construction. With at least two draft scenarios in play, the Rockets’ front office appears fully committed to building around Udoka’s vision of a team that can excel on both ends of the court. The road ahead may not be smooth, but sometimes, staying patient at the table yields the biggest reward.