Disappointment for the Houston Rockets as They Claim the 10th Pick in the 2025 Draft Lottery
The Houston Rockets faced a disappointing turn of events in the 2025 NBA draft lottery, securing the 10th overall pick—marking the first time in five years they missed out on a top-four selection.
Entering the lottery with optimism, the Rockets had the ninth-best odds, largely thanks to a pick they got from the Phoenix Suns. However, their aspirations did not materialize as expected; they will now make their selection at 10 during the first round on June 25. In a surprising twist, the Dallas Mavericks jumped from the 11th position to claim the top pick, leaving the Rockets with a bittersweet outcome.
Although the Rockets held a 17.3% likelihood of landing in the top four, this result, while not entirely shocking, hurt even more given that their rivals—the Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, who vaulted from the eighth position to secure the second pick—both enjoyed lottery success.
The highly anticipated top talent, Duke’s Cooper Flagg, is expected to be selected by the Mavericks, intensifying the pressure on the Rockets to make astute decisions with their upcoming choice.
Tankathon’s latest mock draft highlights several exciting options available for the Rockets at the 10th pick. Prospects include Jeremiah Fers from Oklahoma, Kasparas Jakucionis of Illinois, Khaman Maluach from Duke, Asa Newell from Georgia, Michigan State’s Jase Richardson, Maryland center Derik Queen, and Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina, each a potential addition to the Rockets’ roster.
