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NBA Draft 2011: Rockets Second Target Could Be Tristan Thompson

Per Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the Rockets have engaged in discussions with the Pistons that would swap the No. 14 and No. 23 overall picks to them for the No. 8 overall pick. That is hardly surprising based on what we knew coming into the day. The real revelation here is that Jonas Valanciunas isn't the only man Houston is interested in moving up for. That second guy, per Berger, may be Texas Longhorn forward Tristan Thompson:

Sources say Houston targeting Tristan Thompson if he's there, also have interest in Bismack Biyombo. Kevin McHale wants a big.

Thompson is a bit undersized for a traditonal big man, but he was a very effective defender and rebounder for Texas last season, and it's surprising that he hadn't really been tied to the Rockets in any real way before today. It makes total sense for Houston to go after him, and projection systems do tend to like him quite a bit.

Will the Rockets be able to swing a deal for him? That much is still up in the air.

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