Houston Rockets: 2009 NBA Draft

2008-09 Record: 53-29

Draft Picks: None

Ron Artest

Von Wafer

With two future Hall-of-Famers (Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady) and two of the League’s top defenders (Ron Artest and Shane Battier), Houston was viewed as a dark horse title contender heading into this season. Then McGrady only played in 35 games and the team traded away their starting point guard (Rafer Alston) halfway through the year. Despite this they still ended up with 53 wins, marking their third straight year with 50-plus victories.

With over $60 million on the books for next season already, a total expected to be right around where the salary cap will likely fall, the Rockets don’t have much wiggle room. After the drama-free season he has had, they’ll probably re-sign Artest and hope he behaves himself. Barring a blockbuster trade, their title hopes will rest with this roster and the health of McGrady’s knee (and back and….).

Houston has no picks in this year’s draft, but the players they traded those picks away for - Artest and Luis Scola - are better than anyone they would have been able to pick up with their picks anyway.

2008: Nicolas Batum (25), Maarty Leunen (54)
2007: Aaron Brooks (26), Brad Newley (54)
2006: Rudy Gay (8), Steve Novak (32)
2005: Luther Head (25)
2004: Luis Flores (55)
2003: Malick Badiane (44)
2002: Yao Ming (1), Bostan Nachbar (15), Tito Maddox (37)
2001: Richard Jefferson (13), Jason Collins (18), Brandon Armstrong (23)
2000: Jason Collier (15), Dan Langhi (31)