In the latest update to ESPN’s NBA Mock Draft, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo toss out a few fresh tidbits they’ve heard about the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Houston Rockets. With prospects moving rapidly up and down draft boards, some teams want to move up the 2023 draft, while others may want out.
First, with the third pick, Givony sends Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard to the Rockets, but with a sliver of doubt about whether Houston will be picking anyone.
Most teams expect the Rockets to heavily pursue trade opportunities, either to move down the board (for example with teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies or Chicago Bulls) or to get out altogether if a major building block of a player — such as Mikal Bridges — presents itself unexpectedly.