Rockets get 10th pick, watch Mavericks and Spurs jump in NBA draft lottery

The Houston Rockets' poor NBA lottery continues after getting the No. 10 overall pick in this year's draft while watching their in-state rivals shoot up the board.

While the Rockets did not necessarily need blue chip prospect Cooper Flagg, having him go to either the Dallas Mavericks or San Antonio Spurs was less than ideal. An even worse scenario would see those teams get the top two picks, which is exactly what happened.

Despite having just 1.8 percent odds, the Mavericks won the No. 1 overall pick and presumably Flagg. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs, who had just a 6.7 percent chance of moving up to No. 1, get the second overall pick.

This means the Spurs, with their two first-round picks this year including No. 2 overall, are better positioned to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, if interested.

The Rockets have seven players on their roster picked in the first round over the last four years. After earning the No. 2 seed and a seven-game playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, their offseason will be one of the more fun to monitor, given their potential trade assets.

But Monday night's draft lottery helped the Rockets' competitors more than Houston.