Detroit Pistons Receive: HOU 2021 1st Round Pick (Pick #2), POR 2021 1st Round Pick (Pick #23), MIL 2021 1st Round Pick (Pick #24), WAS 2023 1st Round Pick (Lottery Protected)

Houston Rockets Receive: DET 2021 1st Round Pick (Pick #1), TOR 2021 2nd Round Pick (Pick #37)

With the 2nd, 23rd and 24th picks in this year’s draft, the Houston Rockets have the capability to move up in the draft should they choose to do so. Offering up all three of these picks, as well as a lottery-protected pick by Washington in 2023, gives the Detroit Pistons four first-round picks for their 1st overall pick, which is not that bad of value. 

However, Houston could potentially keep this second overall pick and leverage their two later first-round picks this year to possibly move up into the late-lottery or even in the 15-20 area of the draft. Moving up to draft Cade Cunningham has its perks, but the Rockets seem to be very happy sitting at second overall. 

Sources have told NBA Analysis Network that the Houston Rockets are very high on Jalen Green and could even favor him over Evan Mobley, assuming they are both on the board for Houston at second overall. 

The worst thing that could happen if the Rockets do not trade up is that either the Pistons, or another team that trades for the #1 overall pick, draft Jalen Green, but this would mean Cade Cunningham would be on the board for the Rockets at 2nd overall, which is not a bad thing at all! 

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The Houston Rockets are really in a win-win situation here, which is why they could be interested in moving up, but could also be quite content with sitting at second overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. It should be interesting to see if Houston is willing to part ways with all of these assets just to move up one pick or not. 

Now, let’s evaluate this trade from both team’s perspectives and take a look at if this is truly a trade that makes sense for both the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets.