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Houston Rockets: Ranking the last 10 first round picks

By Corey Rausch

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)
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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Houston Rockets (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

4. Aaron Brooks

It is easy to forget how good Aaron Brooks was given that he has not played for Houston (in his first stint) since 2011. But let’s be clear, Brooks was a very solid bench player for the Rockets teams of McGrady and Yao. He would move into the starting lineup after Rafer Alston was traded in Brooks’s second year and he was quick to take advantage. In his first full season as a starter Brooks averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 assists per game and with stellar shooting splits of .432/.398/.822.

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Unfortunately, this was the peak for Brooks. After winning the Most Improved Player award for the aforementioned season he would struggle with ankle issues the following season before being traded to the Phoenix Suns for Goran Dragic. This may not be the same level of star trade as has been common on this list but the intent was the same. He would go on to have short stays with Phoenix, China, Sacramento, Houston, Denver, Chicago, Indiana and Minnesota. He has found a home in Australia for the past season that was derailed by an Achilles injury.

Brooks was a high scoring guard who would have been even more at home in the present-day NBA. His peak was very short but had he come around at the right time in the right situation it is not hard to imagine him being a key role player for a championship-level team as he briefly was in Houston.

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