A Royal Pain
Fansided

Evaluating the Kings Picking Marvin Bagley III, Winners of the NBA Draft

By Bobby Cummings

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III speaks to the media after being selected second overall by the Sacramento Kings at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jon Lopez/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III speaks to the media after being selected second overall by the Sacramento Kings at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jon Lopez/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – June 1: Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey is interviewed as the Rockets announce D’Antoni as their new head coach on June 1, 2016 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – June 1: Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey is interviewed as the Rockets announce D’Antoni as their new head coach on June 1, 2016 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets

The final team I highlight for their draft performance and undrafted free-agent signings are the Houston Rockets.

This offseason the Rockets are expected to re-sign Chris Paul, match offers for restricted free agent Clint Capela, and potentially make a run at LeBron James. Things are going to get expensive in H-town.

Houston’s general manager Daryl Morey was just selected NBA Executive of the Year for a reason. Morey and company made the most of their picks and acquired talented prospects late in the draft and in the undrafted market. All of these assets come with low salaries and enabled them to have greater cap flexibility.

De’Anthony Melton

The Rockets’ first selection was USC guard De’Anthony Melton with the 46th pick. Melton is 6’3″ but has a 6’10″ wingspan. He projects as a good defender and if he develops his three-point shot he will fill in nicely as the Rockets’ backup off guard to play in lineups next to Chris Paul or James Harden.

Melton will be able to defend opposing team’s lead guards, decrease the defensive demand on Chris Paul, and allow the Rockets to “hide” Harden on opponent’s weaker offensive guards.

Vincent Edwards

The Rockets also acquired Vincent Edwards with pick #52. Edwards could develop into a 3-and-D role player for Houston, but he is a few years away from seeing the floor.

Gary Clark

To add to the depth of their roster, the Rockets were able to sign undrafted forward Gary Clark out of Cincinnati. Clark was a four-year senior who played in 139 career games and started 137 of them. He was also selected as the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Year in the 2017-2018 season.

Clark was simply overlooked due to his age (23.5). He finished his final season with college basketball’s highest defensive rating at 81.6. Furthermore, he finished with the nation’s top Box Plus/Minus (BPM): 15.5. Clark is a big-bodied versatile defender who can guard multiple positions. He might see the floor as an undrafted rookie.

Trevon Duval

Additionally, the Rockets added Duke point guard Trevon Duval to their summer league roster. Duval has his limitations offensively, but is a good defender and had his best performance in college during his final game as a Blue Devil against Kansas in the NCAA tournament.

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