The Rockets were hoping to get the No. 1 overall pick in last month's NBA draft lottery, but were satisfied with landing in the top three where they knew they'd get an elite talent. Somehow, they still ended up with the player most had pegged as the No. 1 pick in the draft.
When the Orlando Magic shocked everyone by drafting Paolo Banchero with the first pick, then the Oklahoma City Thunder took Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren, it was a no-brainer for the Rockets to grab the 6-foot-10 Smith, who averaged 16.9 points and 7.