The Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs, exposing a significant gap between the Rockets and the defending champions. While Houston managed to push the Lakers to six games, they were clearly outclassed by the Thunder’s depth and talent. The Rockets’ front office has claimed that once veterans Kevin Durant, Steven Adams, and Fred VanVleet return next season, the team will be better equipped to compete with OKC. However, most analysts remain skeptical, noting that even at full strength, the Rockets would struggle to match the Thunder’s firepower, especially with Jalen Williams sidelined for much of the series.
The Rockets must address their glaring weakness: three-point shooting. In the playoffs, Houston’s best perimeter shooter was Jabari Smith Jr., who shot just 37.2% from deep. Reed Sheppard, expected to be a reliable option, managed only 30% from three-point range. With limited salary cap space, the Rockets need to find an affordable sharpshooter in the draft. They hold two second-round picks: No. 39 (from the Bulls) and No. 53.
NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman has recommended that Houston use the 39th pick to select Alex Karaban, a white shooter from the University of Connecticut. Karaban’s playing style is often compared to Celtics sharpshooter Sam Hauser. Although his athleticism is average, Karaban has good size for a forward and excels as an off-ball shooter. The Rockets don’t need another ball-dominant player; they already have Durant, Alperen Şengün, and VanVleet to create offense. What they lack is a reliable catch-and-shoot threat who can space the floor.
Karaban is projected to go in the late first round to mid-second round, making the 39th pick a perfect fit for him. He uses screens and cuts efficiently to get open and release quick shots. While he cannot create his own shot, the Rockets don’t require that from him. His elite shooting ability would fill a critical void on a team that is set at point guard, interior scoring, and wing defense. Selecting Karaban would be a low-risk, high-reward move to strengthen Houston’s rotation.