'I think nothing of it': Rockets players react to probable No. 1 pick's viral reaction

Having plummeted to the bottom of the standings in the 2022-2023 regular season, the Houston Rockets were widely considered shoo-ins for the first overall pick in the upcoming National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft.

But the NBA Draft Lottery came and the Rockets found themselves on the outside of the top three and deprived of a shot at 19-year-old French star Victor Wembanyama having landed the No. 4 pick.

Per media reports, Wembanyama supposedly expressed relief upon finding out Houston will be making the fourth selection next month.

At least a couple of Rockets players have reacted to the highly-touted prospect’s reaction.

According to a Bleacher Report article, soon-to-be third-year veteran guard Jalen Green took the viral moment with a grain of salt.

"I mean, I saw it, but I think nothing of it," Green, whom Houston took with the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft following the team’s last season with James Harden, said on Paul George’s podcast, per Bleacher Report. “Wherever you get drafted, like, you still [have to] come in and work no matter what."

Forward Jabari Smith Jr., who just concluded his rookie season, purportedly took offense to Wembanyama’s gesture.

Sports Illustrated (SI) reported that Smith, last year’s No. 3 pick, shared the heavily circulated video of the teen hoops phenomenon with a taking notes emoji, insinuating he’ll use the moment as motivation for when the Rockets meet the San Antonio Spurs, the owners of the top pick that’ll arguably land the player colloquially known as “Wemby.” 

Houston and San Antonio are known to have a bitter rivalry since they’re in the same state and division.

The Rockets seek to move on to what general manager Rafael Stone said is the next phase in the franchise’s rebuilding process.

Under the recently terminated Stephen Silas, the Rockets amassed a 59-177 record in 236 games.

According to Houston Daily, the team could trade its way into the top three for a chance to nab G League star Scoot Henderson.