"With the 18th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft the Houston Rockets select Sam Dekker."
The Houston Rockets added depth in the wings with the 18th pick by selecting Sam Dekker out of Wisconsin. Dekker is a streaky shooter who really helped his stock during the run Wisconsin made deep into March Madness. He is currently projected as a role player who will eventually start once Trevor Ariza leaves.
DraftExpress gave a glowing review on Dekker offensively, stating "Dekker has great physical tools for a NBA small forward, starting with excellent size 6-9, a very good frame (weighed at 229 pounds) and strong athletic ability. He is fluid and mobile with good quickness and the ability to play above the rim with relative ease. The only area where he doesn't stand out in as in terms of his wingspan, which measured only 6-10 at the Nike Skills Academy this past summer. One of the most versatile and efficient offensive players in the college game, Dekker does a little bit of everything, even if he doesn't truly excel in any one area. He is good in transition, can attack his man off the dribble, moves off the ball intelligently, crashes the offensive glass, and can make an open jumper, giving him many different ways he can contribute to a NBA team early on in his career."
Defensively Dekker is similar in his versatality, he does not excel at any one thing, but does everything you need well. One thing Dekker will struggle with is transition defense, but he'll adjust accordingly under Kevin McHale and the Rockets, who improved vastly over the past year on that end.
Dekker appears to be a solid pick for the Houston Rockets, giving James Harden a shooter that is able to take the scoring load off of him, who will eventually improve defensively. Expect Dekker to make an impact sooner rather than later.