2020 NBA Draft

Ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft, Houston was involved in a trade that sent Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for the 16th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, a protected 2021 first-round pick via POR and veteran forward Trevor Ariza. With the first-round pick the Rockets had the rights to after this trade, they drafted big man Isaiah Stewart out of Washington, but he was later packaged together in a trade that sent him, Trevor Ariza, a future second-round pick and cash considerations to the Detroit Pistons in a sign-and-trade acquisition for Christian Wood, a protected future first-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick.

Christian Wood is a player that will be talked about later on, but not having a first-round pick in this year’s draft definitely hurt the Rockets. The Rockets original 2020 first-round pick was shipped to the Denver Nuggets in a four-team trade  at least season’s trade deadline in which the Rockets received Robert Covington, who is no longer a part of the Houston Rockets organization.

Later on in the draft, the Rockets did decide to trade for the 52nd overall pick with the Sacramento Kings, in exchange for the Lakers’ 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations. With this pick, the Rockets decided to draft Kenyon Martin Jr, the son of former No. 1 overall pick and NBA All-Star, Kenyon Martin. K.J. Martin joins the Rockets as a very un-polished prospect with a lot of room for improvement. 

Kenyon Martin Jr. opted not to play collegiate basketball and after playing at IMG Academy, decided to use this past year to prepare for the NBA with ex-NBA trainers. While he possesses the same athletic, high-flying characteristics his father once possessed, the 19-year old forward has a lot of improving to do before stepping on the court in the NBA. He recently signed a four-year rookie deal with Houston, with the first-year of the contract fully-guaranteed, but the rest of the contract non-guaranteed.

With other veteran players expected to make the roster, Martin Jr. will likely spend a lot of time in the G-League this upcoming season, improving on his game and letting the Rockets develop him into a reliable wing for future years. He could see some time at the NBA level this season if the Rockets end up near the bottom of the league, but that is a long-shot.