Looking Back at the Rockets' 2021 Draft Missteps: The Herb Jones What-If
The Houston Rockets have had their share of hits in recent drafts, but 2021 remains a sore spot - and not just because of who they picked, but who they passed on. Usman Garuba and Josh Christopher were the selections, and while both came with upside on paper, the returns have been underwhelming. What really stings is the name that keeps popping up as a missed opportunity: Herb Jones.
Now, Jones wasn’t a lottery pick. He went 35th overall, meaning every team had a chance to snag him and most passed. But hindsight has a way of sharpening the picture, and right now, it’s clear Jones has become one of the most valuable second-rounders in recent memory.
Herb Jones: A Defensive Ace Houston Could Use Right Now
Jones has quietly developed into one of the NBA’s premier defensive wings. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just guard his man - he erases them.
And while his calling card is defense, he’s no liability on the other end. A career 36.3% shooter from deep, Jones brings just enough spacing to stay on the floor in high-leverage moments.
That’s the kind of two-way presence that would fit seamlessly into Ime Udoka’s system in Houston. Udoka has leaned into size and versatility on the perimeter, and Jones would be a dream fit as a defensive-minded shooting guard with the ability to switch across multiple positions. He’s the type of player who elevates a team’s ceiling without needing the ball in his hands.
Trade Value Tells the Story
If you want to understand a player’s value, look at what teams are willing to give up for him - or, in this case, what they won’t get him for. The Lakers, desperate for defensive help, have reportedly sniffed around Jones, but balked at the asking price: expiring contracts and an unprotected first-round pick. That’s a steep price tag, but it tells you what the Pelicans think of their guy.
Now imagine trying to get that kind of return for Garuba or Christopher. You can’t.
Teams wouldn’t even entertain the call. Garuba is no longer in the league, and Christopher has yet to carve out a meaningful role.
That’s not just a miss - that’s a pair of wasted assets that could have been used more wisely, either on the court or in trade talks.
The Garuba and Christopher Picks: A Missed Opportunity
To be fair, it’s easy to second-guess drafts. Garuba was hyped as a defensive stopper coming out of Europe, billed as perhaps the best defender in his class.
The issue? His defense didn’t translate, and his offensive game never caught up.
The result: he’s out of the NBA.
Christopher, meanwhile, was a more curious pick. He wasn’t a consensus first-rounder, and there were whispers that his selection had more to do with his off-court friendship with Jalen Green than his on-court production. Whether or not that’s true, the fact remains - his impact has been minimal.
When you look back at that 2021 draft, it’s not just that the Rockets missed on two players. It’s that they missed on a guy who has become exactly the kind of player they now covet. Herb Jones would be a culture fit, a defensive anchor, and a trade asset all rolled into one.
A Draft That Could Have Looked Very Different
Again, Jones wasn’t a can’t-miss prospect. A lot of teams passed on him.
But the Rockets had two chances in the back end of the first round - and they walked away with two players who haven’t stuck. That’s tough to swallow, especially when you consider what Jones has become.
In a different timeline, Houston could be holding one of the league’s most valuable role players - a guy who’s drawing first-round interest and anchoring elite defenses. Instead, they’re left with the memory of two picks that didn’t pan out.
It’s not about blaming the front office for missing on a second-round gem. It’s about recognizing how valuable those backend picks can be when used wisely. And right now, it’s hard not to wonder what this Rockets roster - and trade war chest - would look like if Herb Jones had been wearing red instead of Pelicans navy.