Braden Smith Rockets NBA Draft Profile: Houston's SOLUTION To Much-Needed Backup PLAYMAKING?

Braden Smith Rockets NBA Draft Profile: Houston's SOLUTION To Much-Needed Backup PLAYMAKING? Houston Rockets target Purdue’s Braden Smith as answer to their backup point guard puzzle—can an undersized floor general elevate Houston’s offense? Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost and NBA Draft enthusiast Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) examine Smith’s elite playmaking, passing vision, and three-point shooting, weighing these strengths against his defensive limitations and slight frame. With Fred VanVleet’s future uncertain, is Smith the insurance policy the Rockets need to keep Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr. operating efficiently in the half-court? Discussion also covers Smith’s NBA draft range, potential comps like Tyus Jones and Pablo Prigioni, and his fit within Ime Udoka’s system. The hosts debate whether Smith’s basketball IQ and ability to run sets can offset his size, especially in late-second-round consideration. Will Houston take a gamble on a traditional floor general to address their playmaking and turnover woes, or seek a higher-upside prospect with a different skillset? #Rockets #NBA #Draft #BradenSmith 📺 Subscribe On YouTube:    / lockedonrockets   📲 Twitter:   / jtgatlin   &   / lockedonrockets   📲 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jtgatlin.bsk... 🎧 Follow/Subscribe/Listen: Locked On Rockets Anywhere: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnRockets Locked On NBA Anywhere: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day. Everydayer Club – If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everyday... Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY – Ignite your taste buds with the flavor of the summer. Get a Firework Freeze 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today. For more information, visit https://FiveHourEnergy.com. Odoo – Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Quo – Make this the year where no opportunity - and no cutsomer - slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnba. KALSHI – For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.  Rugiet – Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men. Indeed – Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime – Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel – Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) #HoustonRockets #Rockets #NBA #KevinDurant #AlperenSengun #AmenThompson #JabariSmithJr #TariEason #ReedSheppard #FredVanVleet #DorianFinneySmith #StevenAdams #AaronHoliday #JaeSeanTate #JeffGreen #ClintCapela #JoshOkogie