Before the 2021 draft, the phrase the Houston Rockets drafting( fill in the blank) in the first-round did not usually go together. During the James Harden era, the Rockets valued win-now players over draft picks. This led to several years when the Rockets didn't have a first-round pick.
Last year was a completely different story. The Rockets finished the draft with four first-round picks. This year they are at least adding two more first-round picks barring a trade. Most of the talk has been about the top of the draft. Debates continue as March Madness rolls along about who the Rockets should draft if they secure the number one overall pick.