2024 NBA Mock Draft: Pistons go against grain, Spurs get Wembanyama help

#3: Houston Rockets select Nikola Topic 

Topic had an injury scare yesterday but it is reportedly not serious though you do have to wonder if it will affect his draft slot ultimately. 

If not, he makes sense for a Rockets team that needs a point guard for the day when Fred VanVleet departs, and in the meantime has a big, dynamic guard who can learn the game behind a quality veteran. 

My bet would be Houston trading this pick for a player who can help them win now, as they were on the cusp of the play-in and want to make that next leap. I hope the Pistons are watching what can happen when you actually try to put a winning team on the floor. 

Did winning some games and having good veterans stunt the growth of the Rockets’ young guys? Nope.