8. Houston Rockets add Cam Whitmore late in the first round
In an offseason where the Houston Rockets spent some “dumb money,” in the eyes of many after adding Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, I don’t think we can discuss this team’s entire offseason without looking at what they pulled off at the 2023 NBA Draft. Sticking with the No, 4 pick, the Rockets made the great addition of Amen Thompson. He showed some intriguing flashes in NBA Summer League before sustaining an injury that will likely keep him out (mostly out of safety precaution).
But it was the follow-up move for the Rockets that I almost loved more than their decision to trade Thompson No. 4 overall. With Cam Whitmore dropping in the first round, the Rockets moved up to select him at No. 20 overall. For the majority of the draft process, Whitmore was considered a top 7 talent. The fact that the Rockets managed to get him late in the first round is flat-out thievery.
The Rockets now have a strong young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith Jr., Thompson, and Whitmore. Oh, and the veteran leadership of VanVleet and Brooks leading the way into the season. The Rockets managed to improve their roster while also adding young talent at the same time.