Expert analysis: Because Ethan + Smith Jr. exists, the Rockets will not win the wingers with the 10th pick

The Rockets now have no top superstars, but they never lack players at the second or third level. For example, Amen, Van Vreet, Jaylen Green and Alperen Shinkin of the Rockets are all good second-in-command players; while Smith Jr. and Ethan are all good third-in-command players in the league. The Rockets have been chasing superstars now, and this is the reason - although there are a large number of high-quality role players, the Rockets lack the star-level leader who has made a final decision, which is also the key reason why the Rockets haven't gone too far in the playoffs.

However, the Rockets can not only chase superstars, but also have another idea, that is, to take a look first this summer, and you don’t have to get a superstar. Some experts suggest that the Rockets can make some minor repairs and make-up transactions during the offseason, or sign players, and there is no need to chase a superstar immediately or quickly. By the end of next season's trading deadline, some teams with poor record may send their star away in order to complete the reconstruction. In this case, it will not be too late for the Rockets to trade.

If the Rockets had excellent record at that time, they would not need any action at all, and they would not even have to chase superstars. Therefore, developing internal potential and reusing these talented new talents is the guarantee for the Rockets to win.

The Rockets also have a first-round No. 10 pick this summer, which is obtained from the Suns. So, will the Rockets use this No. 10 draw for the first round or trade it? According to the famous NBA reporter Daniel Reiner, according to analysis, if the Rockets use the first round No. 10 pick, then any wing player selected by the Rockets with this No. 10 pick must surpass the two Rockets forwards Tari Ethan and Jabbarri Smith Jr.

In other words, if the Rockets use this No. 10 pick and want to take a forward wing, then his overall ability and potential must surpass Smith Jr. and Ethan. However, among the young wing players in the entire league, there are not many players whose overall strength and talent exceed Smith Jr. and Ethan, let alone a rookie player.

So we can know that the Rockets are not going to send Smith Jr. and Ethan away, they will still stay and reuse Smith Jr. and Ethan, two rising front wings. The Rockets will no longer use the No. 10 draw to take down the wing players, after all, there are already Smith Jr. and Ethan in this position.

If the Rockets choose to use the No. 10 pick, they should not take off the same wing as Smith Jr. and Ethan. Players on the back and centers on the inside are the best choices for the Rockets' No. 10 pick. After all, the Rockets lack a defender who can score and hold the ball on the outside, and Shin Kyung's substitute is also needed in the interior. Especially when Adams does not necessarily stay with the Rockets, they need a substitute center to relieve the pressure on Shin Kyung. Therefore, with Ethan and Smith Jr., the Rockets' No. 10 pick will likely pick the center or guard, and will not pick another wing player on the front line.