2016 NBA Draft: Southwest Division Draft Grades

By Isaac Harris

Jun 26, 2016

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) gestures to the crowd while standing with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number six overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 20, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) shoots the ball as Louisville Cardinals center Chinanu Onuaku (32) defends during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Rockets: Chinanu Onuaku (37th), Zhou Qi (43rd)

After the draft, Daryl Morey was pretty open about potential deals they were close to executing on draft night, but none of them came to fruition, thus leaving them with the two second round draft picks they came into the night possessing.

With the 37th pick overall, Houston snagged a player that was projected by some to go at the end of the first round, Chinanu Onuaku. Onuaku was the Louisville Cardinals’ anchor in the middle last season with his shot blocking and presence on the board. Although his offensive game is in question, Onuaku could hit the floor quick with a potential Howard departure.

Houston took the best Chinese prospect in the draft with 7’2″ Zhou Qi. With the big fella looking to stay overseas, Houston might have played into their strong Chinese market with the pick. With players like Demetrius Jackson and Michael Gbinije still on the board, Houston could have netted a young guard to compete for a roster spot in place of Jason Terry.

Draft Grade: B-

Next: Memphis