Huo Ji praised Stone s wisdom again: Four years ago, he was selected in 2 rounds and he was the only one left.

Four years ago, on July 29, the Houston Rockets selected Turkey's inside Alperen Shinkin with the 16th pick in the first round in the draft. The Turkish branch of the Houston Rockets reviewed this matter because Shin Kyung is now an All-Star in the league and a mainstay of the Rockets.

Time goes back to the 2021 draft, Rockets GM Rafael Stone's two protected first-round picks from the Pistons and Wizards exchanged the No. 16 pick from the Thunder. The Rockets used this No. 16 pick to choose Turkey MVP Shin Kyung. At that time, Shin Kyung was only 18 years old and was a real young talent.

Rockets reporter Bradeaux wrote: Four years ago today (July 29), the Rockets exchanged two protected first-round picks from the Thunder for Shin Kyung. One of these draft picks became the 17th pick in 2025, and the other was the first-round pick that belonged to the Wizards, which had not yet been determined. (Stone had a great draft vision at the time)

Bradeaux wrote: Four years ago today (July 29) was an exciting moment. The Rockets started their reconstruction plan. They chose Jaylen Green with the No. 2 draw, Alperen Shinkin with the No. 16 draw, Usman Garuba with the No. 23 draw, and Josh Christopher with the No. 24 draw. (Now four years have passed, only Shin Kyung is still in Houston)

Now even the NBA official has begun to exaggerate that the Houston Rockets are Durant and Shin Kyung's team. Although KD is the league's emperor superstar, the 22-year-old Shin Kyung is the team's first true core in the future. This summer, the Rockets have sent three assistant coaches to help Shin Kyung continue to polish his ball-holding skills. I believe that Shin Kyung's data will go further in the new season, and there should be no big problem with the Best Team + All-Stars.