The next team for this series of top 10 draft picks since 1990 is the Houston Rockets. They reached the ultimate pinnacle of the sport when they won the NBA Finals in both 1994 and 1995.
In order to make this list, the player must have been actually drafted by the Rockets. Only the player's impact with Houston is considered (someone like Montreal Harrell became more productive after leaving the Rockets). Where the player was selected makes a difference (if a 27th overall pick had about as much impact as a fifth overall pick, then the 27th overall pick will be higher).
All draft picks were found at Basketball Reference.
Yao Ming - First round, first overall (2002)
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, the 7-6 Ming experienced his share of injury woes, but he put together impressive averages of 19 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in his 486 career games (all with Houston).
Cuttino Mobley - Second round, 41st overall (1998)
A second round gem, Mobley played six seasons with Houston totaling 7,448 points and 672 made three-pointers (fifth in franchise history).