NBA Mock Draft 9.0: NY Knicks trade up for a PG; Magic go rogue at No. 1

NBA Draft prospect Paolo Banchero (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Draft prospect Paolo Banchero (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)
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NBA Draft
NBA Draft prospect Chet Holmgren (James Snook-USA TODAY Sports)

3. Houston Rockets – Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga

The Houston Rockets have an easy decision to make at No. 3 – essentially they will take the one prospect that doesn’t get picked in the top 2 of the unanimous top 3. In this case, with Banchero and Smith off the board, the Rockets have the easy decision of taking Chet Holmgren.

And he wouldn’t exactly be a terrible fit. Holmgren would be an interesting duo with Christian Wood in the frontcourt (if Houston wants to keep him) and would give the team an interesting dynamic with their talented backcourt.

There are legit concerns about Holmgren’s size and durability – even though he doesn’t have a history of injury. However, he’s also a prospect that the NBA really hasn’t seen thus far. Being selected at No. 3, he could end up being the steal of the top 5.