Houston Fagan said on social media before the lottery that the 2024 draft draw was held in the afternoon, usually in the evening, but the 2002 Rockets were also drawn in the afternoon.
Some fans ridiculed: Is Fagan hinting that the Rockets will draw the 2024 No. 1 pick?
The afternoon of U.S. time was the wee hours of Beijing time, and some Chinese Rockets fans stayed up late waiting for good news. Although it is not the champion, it is satisfying to be able to draw the No. 3 lottery, and it can even be said to be a surprise.
General Manager Stone was not used to the pressure of the lottery, and Udoka liked to participate in the lottery, so the latter went to the scene.
What was it like to know that the number 3 lottery was drawn? Stone said in an interview: "I'm very happy that I was on the plane back to the United States in France at the time of the draw and it took me some time to figure out the specifics. There are a lot of talented rookies in this class, and the top rookies are very competitive. I don't think there's anything wrong with adding another youngster, because they would benefit from coming on the bench as well. We've always been very focused on the best talent and if we believe a player has a chance to be special or successful, that's the player we want to choose.
Fagan previously said that the Rockets would consider a trade if they drew a top-four pick. Houston reporter Chris A. White said on social media that the Rockets would bid a high price for the No. 3 pick, and if they didn't receive a satisfactory offer, then keep the draft for themselves.
In 2021, 2022 and 2023, Stone retained the high draft pick in his possession and did not trade it out. He probably didn't receive an offer that was hard to refuse.
Is Stone going to France to scout rookies? Houston Fagan predicts he will opt for French newcomer Zachary Rissachet, who is considered a younger version of Barnes.
Harrison Barnes, 31, 2.03 meters tall and 2.11 meters in reach, was selected in the 7th place in the 2012 draft. Barnes didn't make it to an All-Star, but he did get a championship ring. Barnes averaged 19.2 points and five rebounds per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field in his career-high season. This season, Barnes is averaging 12.2 points, 3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 47.4% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range.
Born in 2005 and with a 2.03m and an arm span of 2.1m, Zachary Risaszi is a swingman who confirmed via social media late last month that he would be competing in the 2024 draft.
Zachary Risachet is averaging 10.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.9 steals in 23 minutes per game in Ligue 1 this season, shooting 46.1% from the field, 38.8% from three-point range and 71.6% from the free-throw line.
Zachary Risachet is a recognised up-and-coming star who has represented France at youth level and was named to the French national team this year.
Zachary Risachet, whose idols are Curry and Durant, said he doesn't care about draft picks and wants to go to a team that suits him.
Zachary Risaache has the advantage of having a shot, being good at catching and shooting, and shooting fast. He is good off the ball and can play air cuts with his teammates. Lateral speed allows him to defend multiple positions and interfere with opponents' passes and shots. Zachary Risaache's shortcomings are a lack of physical confrontation and a lack of attacking ability with the ball.
Some draft experts regard Risachet as the top pick, and some experts also believe that he will fall out of the top eight, which also means that selecting him may be more risky.
Before the draft draw, The Bleachers predicted that the Rockets would pick Reed Shepherd with the No. 4 pick, while also placing Zachary Risaache in third place.