Complete 2018 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams
Houston Rockets
- No. 46: De’Anthony Melton, USC
- No. 52: Vincent Edwards, Purdue
The Houston Rockets didn’t get to use the 30th overall pick thanks to the Chris Paul trade, which I’m sure everyone will agree was more than worth it. The best regular season team in basketball still managed to extract value from the second round, however.
At No. 46, the Rockets got one of the draft’s most surprising fallers in De’Anthony Melton. He’s not a standout scorer or 3-point marksman by any stretch, but he’s a stifling presence on the defensive end thanks to a 6’8″ wingspan and keen focus and effort.
De'Anthony Melton at 46 is basically a free, new, diet Patrick Beverley for Houston.
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) June 22, 2018
Ironically enough, after passing on Dillon Brooks at No. 45 last year, the Rockets may have made up for that mistake with the pick they acquired (No. 46) in the deal.
In addition to a combo guard to help shore up the backcourt, the Rockets added Vincent Edwards at No. 52, buying the pick from the Utah Jazz. Edwards was an accomplished wing scorer at Purdue and can do a little bit of everything between passing, 3-point shooting and finishing inside.
Grade: A