The Houston Rockets wanted to beat the Phoenix Suns to assist their playoff seeding. Because of Alperen Sengun and Jalen Inexperienced, in addition they improved subsequent yr’s draft choose.
Sengun scored 20 factors on 7-of-7 taking pictures and led the Rockets with seven assists in Houston’s 111-104 win over the Suns Wednesday evening, together with a spectacular behind-the-back go to Tari Eason. Inexperienced had 29 factors and three steals because the Rockets compelled the Suns into 17 turnovers within the win.
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 13, 2025
The sport was an important signal for the Rockets’ future. Sengun is 22 years outdated. Inexperienced is simply 23. And the Rockets personal the suitable to swap first-round picks with the Suns subsequent season.
Wednesday’s win moved Houston to 41-25. It’s in fifth place within the West, however just one sport out of second. And the Suns are 2.5 video games out of the play-in match, an consequence that might ship them to the lottery and ship their choose to Houston.
The Suns traded the Nets a 2025 choose swap as a part of their trade for Kevin Durant in 2023. Final summer time, Brooklyn traded Houston that 2025 swap, together with the Suns’ first in 2027 and a swap for the Suns’ 2029 choose. That deal obtained the Nets their 2025 and 2026 picks again from their 2021 commerce with the Rockets for James Harden.
Therefore, each Suns loss is a win for the Rockets’ draft place this June. If the season ended at present, the Rockets would have a 7.1 % likelihood at a top-four choose however can be almost definitely to select twelfth. Houston has gotten fortunate earlier than. Final yr, the Rockets had a choose swap with the Nets, who had the ninth-worst report, and so they moved as much as choose at No. 3.
Lengthy-term, the Suns’ losses would possibly assist Houston in different methods. If Phoenix decides to shake up its disappointing roster with an enormous commerce, the Rockets can be a logical commerce companion since they personal a lot of the Suns’ draft future. They may find yourself with a high prospect this yr — or they may find yourself with Kevin Durant or Devin Booker.
After all, given how Sengun and Inexperienced performed, together with ahead Tari Eason (15 factors, 10 rebounds, two blocks), the Rockets won’t suppose including members of the Suns is an enormous improve. They will accept an enormous win.
