Lachard Binkley Says Rockets Will 'Make A Move' To Upgrade Starting Lineup

Lachard Binkley, staff writer for The Dream Shake and SB Nation, joins Next Up to preview the 2024 NBA draft that starts with the first round Wednesday.

The Houston Rockets have the No. 3 overall pick; however, Binkley predicts that multiple teams will want to move up in the draft so the Rockets "are going to be trading that pick."

If general manager Rafael Stone is unable to finalize a deal before draft night, many mocks have the Rockets selecting Reed Sheppard, a guard from the University of Kentucky. Sheppard is an "above average defender," and even though "he'll be more of a role player...he brings you exactly what you need and that's shooting," Binkley said.

The Rockets finished the 2023-24 season with a 41-41 record and just five games back from the final spot in the Play-In Tournament. "The Rockets are trying to take that next step to make the playoffs," so "they are going to make a move" and "try to upgrade their starting lineup."

While NBA All-Stars such as Kevin Durant or Paul George have been mentioned in trade rumors, Binkley attempts to manage expectations on who the Rockets will acquire this offseason. The Rockets are "looking to stay flexible" but it won't be "a huge, blockbuster move."