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Houston Rockets: 5 options for pick No. 45 in 2017 NBA Draft

By Brian Sampson

Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward V.J. Beachem (3) dunks during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the ACC Conference Tournament Final at Barclays Center. Duke Blue Devils won 75-69. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward V.J. Beachem (3) dunks during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the ACC Conference Tournament Final at Barclays Center. Duke Blue Devils won 75-69. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Rockets
Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward V.J. Beachem (3) dunks during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the ACC Conference Tournament Final at Barclays Center. Duke Blue Devils won 75-69. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

The second pick the Houston Rockets hold in the 2017 NBA Draft is pick at No. 45. Here are five options they could pursue with the selection.

The Houston Rockets hold two picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, neither of which is in the first round. Both, however, are within two picks of one another.

The second pick the Rockets have will be the 45th overall selection. Their other pick is 43rd overall.

The Rockets acquired the 45th pick in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers back in 2013. The Rockets sent Thomas Robinson, Kostas Papnikolaou and Marko Todorovic to Rip City in exchange for two second round picks.

This trade was part of the cap-clearing escapade general manager Daryl Morey went on so Houston could sign Dwight Howard to a max deal that year.

No. 45 is still an okay spot in the draft as the Rockets may be able to take a gamble with both of their second rounds picks in the hopes of finding a gem. Houston can also draft-and-stash a player in order to create more cap space going into the free agent signing period on July 1.

Some of the prospects in the second round have pronounced weaknesses but have serviceable skills to build off of. A couple of summers in the gym and any one of these players could fit well into the Rockets’ scheme.

Related Story: Houston Rockets - 5 options at pick No. 43 in 2017 NBA Draft

Remember, some really great players have been drafted in the second round, including Draymond Green (No. 35), Manu Ginobli (No. 57), Isaiah Thomas (No. 60), Marc Gasol (No. 48) and Houston’s own Trevor Ariza (No. 33).

As you can tell, the majority of those players were drafted after the 45th spot in the draft, meaning the Houston Rockets have a realistic chance of acquiring a true NBA-caliber player in what’s being touted as a deep draft.

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