The 2024 NBA Draft has concluded with rookies settling into their new teams and beginning media engagements. Looking ahead, focus shifts to free agency and potential trades for the Houston Rockets, who are aiming to build upon their 41-41 season and bolster their roster with an eye toward playoff contention.

Houston is particularly poised to pursue a significant trade to acquire a star player, driven by their impressive 19-win improvement last season and a hunger for additional talent. While analysts are already speculating about the 2025 NBA Draft class, projections remain uncertain given the fluidity of team compositions in the offseason. Nevertheless, CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish has released an early mock draft for the upcoming cycle.

In Parrish’s mock draft, the Rockets are slated to pick in the late lottery, suggesting another near-miss for the playoffs. Despite potential disappointment in missing higher picks, they would have the opportunity to select promising talent, reflecting a deeper draft pool than previous years.

At No. 12 in the mock draft, the Rockets choose Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina, a 6-foot-7 forward who impressed during his freshman season with the Gamecocks, starting in 19 of 28 games and averaging 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, despite his limited 3-point shooting.

“While Murray-Boyles may need to develop his shooting to solidify his lottery status, his defensive versatility has already garnered attention from NBA front offices,” Parrish noted.

Considering Houston’s current needs and unless they pivot towards building around a star player, selecting a non-shooter like Murray-Boyles could be viewed as counterproductive for their roster strategy at this time.