Mock draft roundup: Final projections for Rockets in first round

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The 2021 NBA draft is now only hours away, with a start time of 7 p.m. Central on Thursday, July 29. It will be televised on ESPN and ABC, and the Rockets will make their first selection relatively quickly — since they currently own the No. 2 overall pick in the first round.

G League Ignite guard Jalen Green is the clear favorite for that No. 2 pick, but it’s not yet a given, since the Detroit Pistons — at least as of midday Wednesday — were still debating what to do at No. 1. Should Green buck the odds and go No. 1 overall, that would potentially put Oklahoma State wing Cade Cunningham in play for the Rockets. Scenarios where Houston trades up and takes Cunningham at No. 1 are also viable.

But that’s not the only intrigue for Houston on draft night. The Rockets also possess picks No. 23 and No. 24 in the first round, which could give them as many as three first-round rookies for the 2021-22 roster.

As of Wednesday afternoon, here’s a look at who industry draft experts have the Rockets taking at each of those spots (picks 2, 23, and 24). For further breakdowns and scouting reports on each player, check out The Ringer’s detailed draft guide by Kevin O’Connor.

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Pick No. 2, first round

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Jalen Green Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report (July 28) Jalen Green — Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated (July 28) Jalen Green — Sam Vecenie, The Athletic (July 28) Jalen Green — Ricky O'Donnell, SB Nation (July 28) Cade Cunningham — Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (July 27) Jalen Green — Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer (July 27) Jalen Green — Colin Ward-Henninger, CBS Sports (July 27) Jalen Green — Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle (July 23)

Pick No. 23, first round

Photo by Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Johnson Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report (July 28) Usman Garuba — Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated (July 28) Isaiah Jackson — Sam Vecenie, The Athletic (July 28) Jalen Johnson — Ricky O'Donnell, SB Nation (July 28) Jaden Springer — Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (July 27) Sharife Cooper — Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer (July 27) Isaiah Jackson — Colin Ward-Henninger, CBS Sports (July 27) Tre Mann — Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle (July 23)

Pick No. 24, first round

Photo by Adam Cairns/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports

Tre Mann Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report (July 28) Joshua Primo — Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated (July 28) Jalen Johnson — Sam Vecenie, The Athletic (July 28) Cameron Thomas — Ricky O'Donnell, SB Nation (July 28) Kai Jones — Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (July 27) Isaiah Todd — Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer (July 27) Sharife Cooper — Colin Ward-Henninger, CBS Sports (July 27) Isaiah Jackson — Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle (July 23) [listicle id=50445]

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