Houston Rockets: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

Houston Rockets: Ranking the last 10 first round picks

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 30: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets dunks against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on October 30, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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Houston Rockets (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

5. Patrick Patterson

The consummate role player, Patrick Patterson is the kind of player every locker room wants to include. The numbers will never really jump off the stat sheet at you but he knows how to contribute in the right situation. Starting in Houston he would average 8.4 points and 4.3 rebounds for a team that was looking to contend. This was highlighted by the end of his run with the team in 2012-2013 where he averaged 11.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

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He is a smart team defender and is willing to defer to his more ball-dominant teammates. This has led to him finding roles on playoff contenders with the Rockets, the Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder and now the LA Clippers. He was traded by Rockets to the Kings in a salary repositioning move that would enable future moves.

Patterson was never going to be a star. It started with him being good in college for bad Kentucky teams for a couple of seasons before finding his role as the older leader for freshman John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe. This paved the way for the role he is continuing to play today for a team with title aspirations. Do not be surprised if he has a few huge moments that do not show up in the stat sheet during the Clippers run.

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