Houston Rockets 2012 Draft Preview - Chicago Tribune

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Houston holds the last pick in the lottery, No. 14 overall, for the third straight season as well as the 16th selection in the 2012 draft.

After picking Patrick Patterson in 2010 and Marcus Morris in '11 at 14, the Rockets may be looking to acquire more first-round picks in an effort to make a run at Orlando All-Star center Dwight Howard.

General Manager Daryl Morey has put point guard Kyle Lowry, shooting guard Kevin Martin and center Samuel Dalembert on the trading block.

Both the Sacramento Kings, who own the No. 5 pick, and the Toronto Raptors, who have the eighth selection, have let Houston know that their top-10 picks are available and the Rockets could snare one by sending Lowry, who doesn't get along with head coach Kevin McHale, as well as one of their first round picks.

For what it's worth Lowry seems to think he is on the move Tweeting: "It's been real," on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, Houston has been talking with Minnesota about sending Kevin Martin to the Twin Cities for the 18th overall pick.

The Rockets , of course, are still looking to fill the hole in the middle after Yao Ming's retirement and the team could be eyeing UConn big man Andre Drummond as a consolation prize if they can move up into the lottery, It's unlikely the other top tier pivots in the draft like Meyers Leonard of Illinois and North Carolina's Tyler Zeller will last to the 14th slot.

Players under contract: G: Kevin Martin; F: Luis Scola; G: Kyle Lowry; F: Marcus Morris; F: Chandler Parsons; F: Chase Budinger; C: Samuel Dalembert; F Patrick Patterson

Free agents: C: Marcus Camby; G: Goran Dragic; G: Courtney Lee

Recent Draft History 2011: Marcus Morris (14), Nikola Mirotic (23), Chandler Parsons (38) 2010: Patrick Patterson (14) 2009: None 2008: Nicolas Batum (25), Marty Leunen (54) 2007: Aaron Brooks (26), Brad Newley (54)

Draft picks: 1st round (14th overall, 16th overall)