The Houston Rockets came very close to a NBA Finals appearance this season. While they do not currently own a first round pick in the NBA Draft which takes place on June 21, they are slated to select 47th overall. NBADraft.net has them selecting center Brandon McCoy out of UNLV in their latest mock draft.

The Rockets have been a fairly successful team in recent memory including winning back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. They have made the playoffs 19 times in the last 28 seasons including each of the last six. Who have been their best (and worst) draft picks since 1990?

In order to be on these lists, the player must have actually been drafted by the team and not acquired in a draft-day deal. To be given the opportunity to be on the best selections list, the player must have played three full seasons with the club. Someone such as Patrick Patterson was not considered as he was traded in the midst of his third season with the team.

Only first-round picks were considered for the worst list. Normally, only players who actually suited up for the team in regular season games can be included on the worst list, but Royce White is an exception due to the drama that he and the team went through because of his mental health issues.

To see the Knicks’ best and worst draft picks since 1990, click here.

To see the Celtics’ best and worst draft picks since 1990, click here.

To see the Lakers’ best and worst draft picks since 1990, click here.

To see the Bulls’ best and worst draft picks since 1990, click here.

To see the Heat’s best and worst draft picks in franchise history, click here.

Best selections

  • 5. Sam Cassell (1993 - 24th pick)

Cassell’s first two seasons saw him win back-to-back championships with the Rockets.

He would play one more season with Houston. He only started seven games with the team but carved an important role averaging 10.1 points and 4.2 assists.

  • 4. Chandler Parsons (2011 - 38th pick)

Parsons was a pleasant surprise in his three seasons with the Rockets after being taken in the second round. During his last two years with the team, he averaged 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

He hasn’t enjoyed the same success since he left, and now is at or near the top of every most overpaid player list as he struggles to stay healthy with the Memphis Grizzlies.

  • 3. Clint Capela (2014 - 25th pick)

Capela put together his best season in 2017-18 as the Rockets fell just one win shy of the NBA Finals. He led the NBA in field goal percentage (65.2) while averaging 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks.

  • 2. Yao Ming (2002 - 1st pick)

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, the reason Ming isn’t ranked first on this list is because injuries forced him to miss so many games, and he was drafted at a spot where you are expected to succeed. When he did play though, there were few centers better.

In 486 games (all with Houston), he averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks.

  • 1. Cuttino Mobley (1998 - 41st pick)

Drafted in the second round, Mobley played a very large role in his six seasons with the Rockets. He averaged 17.1 points (21.7 in the 200-02 season) and connected on 672 three-pointers.

Other notables: Robert Horry (1992 - 21st pick), Othella Harrington (1996 - 30th pick), Kenny Thomas (1999 - 22nd pick), Aaron Brooks (2007 - 26th pick)

Worst selections

  • 5. Bostjan Nachbar (2002 - 15th pick)

Nachbar had a little more success after joining the New Jersey Nets but wasn’t all that productive with Houston. He played just 14 games total his rookie season and 75 altogether over parts of three seasons with the Rockets averaging 2.9 points and 1.5 rebounds.

  • 4. Bryce Drew (1998 - 16th pick)

Drew played 243 games in the NBA, 105 of which came with the Rockets. With Houston, he put up averages of 5.1 points (on just 37.8 percent shooting) and 2.0 assists.

  • 3. Rodrick Rhodes (1997 - 24th pick)

Rhodes’ NBA career lasted just 72 games, 61 of which came with the Rockets. He posted averages of 5.7 points and 1.8 rebounds with the club.

  • 2. John Turner (1991 - 20th pick)

Turner played just one season with the Rockets (and in the NBA) before the team agreed to release him so he could play in Spain. In 42 games with Houston, he averaged 2.8 points and 1.9 rebounds.

  • 1. Royce White (2012 - 16th pick)

While White never appeared in a game for the Rockets, he spent an entire year with the organization before he was traded.

He and the team could never come to an agreement on how to handle his mental health issues. He has played in only three career games, those coming with the Sacramento Kings in the 2013-14 season.

Other notables: Michael Dickerson (1998 - 24th pick), Luther Head (2005 - 24th pick)
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