Complete 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams
Houston Rockets
Isaiah Hartenstein (No. 43)
After trading their first-rounder (Tony Bradley at No. 28) to the Lakers in the Lou Williams deal, then letting the Grizzlies swoop in at No. 45 for Dillon Brooks, the Houston Rockets left the 2017 NBA Draft with only one selection.
That selection, however, was a good one for a team expected to be aggressive in free agency this summer and in need of as much cap space as possible. Not only was Isaiah Hartenstein not expected to fall all the way to No. 43, but the seven-foot German is a prime draft-and-stash candidate who may be able to actually contribute by the time he joins the team.
The big issue here — and the reason he dropped — is a back condition that had ESPN‘s Fran Fraschilla ranting on the broadcast about how he might have been a lottery pick in next year’s draft had he just waited another year.
Isaiah Hartenstein dropped dramatically when he was red-flagged by NBA doctors with a back condition. Landed at 43 with Houston in the end.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 23, 2017
In any case, if this back condition isn’t the second coming of Donatas Motiejunas, Hartenstein is a skilled bit who may even have stretch-5 potential one day. He’s only 19 years old and is a mobile big who could strengthen Houston’s frontcourt depth behind Clint Capela.
The Lou Williams deal was probably worth missing out on UNC’s Bradley, especially since the Rockets may have found value in the second round. Not a great draft, but not a bad one either.
Grade: B-