Potential abounds in draft without a clear No. 1 pick

The Rockets go into Sunday’s lottery with two chances: the Brooklyn Nets’ pick at No. 9 and their own if it moves up from 12th into the top four.

If their own pick does not make that jump, it will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the trade of Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook.

The chances of either pick moving into the top four are not great. The Rockets have a 20.3% chance of having the Nets’ pick move into the top four and a 7.1% chance of their own pick making that jump.

Here’s a look at the players the Rockets could consider with a top four pick, how they might fit with the Rockets and the players they might consider with the Nets’ pick if it remains at No. 9 or slips:

Top-four worthy

Alex Sarr, Perth (Australia), F/C, 7-foot-1, 19

The Rockets would not seem to have minutes for another center, but Sarr has such clear potential for defensive versatility, he could pair well with Alperen ށengün or Jabari Smith Jr. and could fit either as a rim protector or in the Rockets’ switch-heavy schemes.

Zaccharie Risacher, JL Bourg (France), G/F, 6-8, 19

Opinions vary about where Risacher might go, but if he goes early, his potential as a range shooter would be high on the list of reasons. The Rockets’ needs have 3-point shooting high on the list, though they will need to give most players taken early time to grow into the job.

Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite, F, 6-10, 19

A ball mover with a nice feel for the game, Buzelis might be able to fit in whatever mix the Rockets are using when he is

ready. He could have the shooting touch they have needed, though he has only shown signs of that rather than proven himself as a range shooter.

Rob Dillingham, Kentucky, G, 6-2, 19

With first-step quickness and a good mix of skills as a scorer, Dillingham has potential as a playmaker, too. The Rockets might not have minutes or touches for him in that role now, but they also do not have developmental

players like him, either.

Nikola Topic, KK Crvena Zvezda (Serbia,) G, 6-6, 18

Another nice playmaker but with greater size than Dillingham, Topic can be a crafty finisher. His length could offer positional versatility, though he might be his best as a point guard.

If picking ninth or later

Stephon Castle, Connecticut,

G/F, 6-6, 19

The Rockets might seem to have ample defensive wings with last season’s first pick, Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason returning, but they also have a type. He will likely need to develop his shooting touch.

Cody Williams, Colorado, G/F. 6-8, 19

Another wing in a likely top 10 full of them, Williams has shown a similar feel for the game as his brother, rising

Thunder star Jalen Williams, with more length but needing more time to develop. As with other prospects, finding playing time with the Rockets as a wing will be difficult.

Ron Holland II, G League Ignite, F, 6-8, 18

Holland could go much sooner than when the Rockets choose with the Nets pick if it does not jump up. The Rockets have not shied away from players out of the developmental programs, but he is not as much of a catch-and-shooter scorer as off the dribble, potentially making it more difficult of a fit.

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee, F/G, 6-6, 23

If the Rockets choose to stray from their recent history of choosing young prospects to develop, Knecht would be a significant departure. His shooting would seem as likely to translate as any skill of the players expected to go in the range of the Nets pick and serves as a way to get on the court quickly, if that’s what the Rockets want.

Isaiah Collier, USC, G, 6-4, 19

Though young, Collier has an NBA build already, but he might need time to adjust to playing against players with similar attributes. He will need to hone his skills, especially as a shooter, which could make him another prospect with potential to develop with the G-League Vipers.

Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor, G, 6-5, 19

While many of the players likely to be considered with the Nets pick have potential to exceed their draft position, Walter could be viewed as a safer choice as perhaps the top catchand-shoot threat in the draft with defensive skills.

Players likely to go between the top four and the range of the Nets pick:

Paul Kane/Getty Images French big man Alex Sarr has potential to be a defensive stalwart in the post.

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images Connecticut’s Stephon Castle is a strong defender on the perimeter

Ethan Miller/Getty Images Matas Buzelis of the G League Ignite has yet to prove himself as a shooter.

Justin Ford/Getty Images Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter is perhaps the best catch-and-shoot threat in this draft.