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Rockets would've lost Amen Thompson if new NBA Draft lottery rules existed earlier
TL;DR
The Houston Rockets benefited from the absence of new NBA Draft lottery rules, which would have prevented them from selecting Amen Thompson. These rules now prohibit teams from picking in the top five for three consecutive seasons.
Key points
- Houston Rockets benefited from old NBA Draft lottery rules
- New rules prevent top-five picks for three consecutive seasons
- Amen Thompson is a key player for the Rockets
Houston Rockets
Rockets would've lost Amen Thompson if new NBA Draft lottery rules existed earlier originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Houston Rockets have to be glad that the new NBA Draft lottery rules didn't exist a few years ago.
If they had, they may have never gotten to pick Amen Thompson, one of their most important players right now.
The new rules will prevent teams from picking in the top-five for three consecutive seasons.
The Rockets snagged Jalen Green at No. 2 overall in 2021, then Jabari Smith at No. 3 in 2022.
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That would've stopped them from having the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, which is the spot they chose Thompson.
If picks went exactly the same with someone else there, both Thompson twins would've been off the board as the Rockets looked for someone to pick at No. 6.
Picks 6 through 10 of that draft haven't aged great so far: Anthony Black, Bilal Coulibaly, Jarace Walker, Taylor Hendricks and Cason Wallace.
Black, Coulibaly and Wallace have all had their moments of usefulness, but none seem likely to be the star that Thompson is.
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In retrospect, it's crucial that the Rockets got the pick they did.
Beyond Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller in the top-two spots, that draft is quite devoid of current star power.
Amen Thompson, though, has proven he can be incredibly impactful on winning. The Rockets sure are glad they have him.
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Q&A
What are the new NBA Draft lottery rules regarding top-five picks?
The new NBA Draft lottery rules prevent teams from selecting in the top five for three consecutive seasons.
How would the new lottery rules have affected the Rockets' selection of Amen Thompson?
If the new lottery rules had been in place earlier, the Rockets might not have been able to select Amen Thompson, a key player for the team.
Why are the new NBA Draft lottery rules significant for teams like the Rockets?
These rules are significant as they limit the ability of teams to consistently secure top draft picks, impacting their long-term roster development.
