The 2026 NBA Draft is set to take place in Brooklyn in less than ten days, and the Houston Rockets will enter the lottery with two second-round selections , the No. 39 and No. 53 overall picks. The franchise does not own a first-round pick after surrendering both of last year’s choices in the Kevin Durant trade, the league’s largest transaction to date.

At No. 39, a mock draft projects the Rockets selecting Ugonna Onyenso, a 7-foot, 245-pound center from the University of Virginia. Onyenso, a 21-year-old born in Nigeria, spent four seasons with the Cavaliers, where he posted 2.9 blocks per game in his senior year while averaging 6.5 points and 4.9 rebounds. His size and rim-protecting instincts make him a rare physical presence among the league’s young big men.

Houston’s current roster leans heavily on perimeter shooters and guard-driven lineups, leaving the paint vulnerable to opposing post play. Adding a seven-footer who can alter shots and finish around the rim would give the Rockets a defensive anchor and a low-post option in transition. Onyenso’s shot-blocking ability could free up wing players to attack the basket more aggressively, though his modest scoring numbers suggest he will need to develop a reliable post game to secure regular minutes.

The lack of first-round assets has forced the Rockets to look to the draft as a primary avenue for restocking talent. Retaining both the No. 39 and No. 53 picks indicates a commitment to building a youthful core rather than packaging the selections for a veteran acquisition. While the organization may still entertain trade offers, the upside of a high-upside, inexpensive big man aligns with Houston’s rebuilding timeline.

The draft begins in late June, and the Rockets will have a narrow window before the trade deadline to decide whether to keep Onyenso or explore a move up the board. If they hold the pick, the center will join the team’s offseason program, where his defensive instincts can be evaluated against NBA competition. A strong showing could earn him a spot in training camp and, ultimately, a role on a roster that has long lacked interior depth.

Should Onyenso secure a roster spot, his development will be a key factor in the Rockets’ quest to add a physical anchor to a roster built on shooting. Even as a late-second-round prospect, his size and defensive potential provide a tangible piece of the puzzle as Houston charts a course back toward competitiveness.