8. Houston Rockets (via Nets) take Rob Dillingham
Dillingham is also coming off the bench for Kentucky this season. Few would have predicted the Wildcats would have two top ten selections in the 2024 NBA Draft with both being reserves. Dillingham’s offense has been outstanding and will have teams dreaming about his upside.
The 19-year-old is averaging 15.4 points, 3.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 23.2 minutes per game. He has shot 48.2 percent from the field and 44.9 percent on his threes. Dillingham has delivered in clutch moments. His speed, ball-handling, playmaking, and scoring have some rating him as a top-five prospect, but there are serious concerns on the other end of the floor.
Dillingham is listed at 6’2 and 170 lbs. The undersized point guard has a slight frame and has been targeted at the NCAA level. Teams will attack him relentlessly in the NBA. Do his offensive contributions outweigh his negative defense? Teams will have to judge that as they place him on their boards.
The Houston Rockets should take the best player available or trade this pick. They have a plethora of young talent, but the Rockets want to return to the playoffs. Rob Dillingham could be a bucket off their bench quickly. Houston may be searching for more, but fans can expect two Kentucky guards to be taken in the lottery on draft night.