THE 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place later this month, with the next crop of potential superstars set to join the world’s most prestigious basketball league.

With plenty of hype around the talent in the 2023 draft class, thanks to a French phenom locked in as the number-one pick and lots of depth later down the order, June 23 (AEST) will change the future of the league in a big way.

Rookie Me Central will be continuing the NBA Draft Team Preview series, taking a look at each participating side’s draft hand and some potential options at each selection. The next side on the agenda are the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets struggled again in the 2022/23 season, but a lot of their young guns took the next step in their personal development, and the team is set up with a number of future stars on its roster.

After acquiring former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka to lead the team, the Rockets will now look towards the draft to add even more young talent to the list.

Houston Rockets

Draft selections

4, 20

Contracted players

Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Jae’Sean Tate, Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Kevin Porter, Usman Garuba, Josh Christopher, TyTy Washington, KJ Martin, Dashien Nix (team option), Darius Days (qualifying offer), Trevor Hudgins (qualifying offer)

The Rockets are clearly invested in their youth, and although rumours are swirling about adding some veteran presence in the team, the focus is on their young guns, a trend that will continue thanks to the draft.

With pick four, the Rockets have plenty of attention on who they will select. Given the top three is essentially locked in with Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller, Houston’s choice could dictate much of the remaining order.

The best player the Rockets could take with their first selection appears to be Amen Thompson, who is also one of the best guards in the draft class. A physically gifted athlete, Thompson has a remarkable vertical leap, and playing at the point guard next to Green would form one of the most exciting backcourts in the NBA.

He can pass the ball, attack the rim downhill and defend multiple positions, making him the best prospect that is likely to be available here, and an excellent fit for Houston.

With the 20th pick in the draft, the Rockets will be looking to add offensive weapons that can knock down a shot from behind the arc, given their struggles from three-point territory last season.

They could take a punt on shooting guard Brandin Podziemski, who would help the team’s production from downtown. Although some teams may target him with their second round selections, the shooting guard may be snapped up earlier given he shot nearly 44 per cent from behind the arc last season.

Another option that may tempt Houston is Brice Sensabaugh, who is a bit of a three-point weapon himself. The wing shot 41 per cent from behind the arc last season, and can score from almost anywhere in the halfcourt, which would certainly boost the team’s points production.

The Rockets are again set to be one of the biggest players in the draft, and could add even more future stars to an already promising roster.