NBA Mock Draft: Houston Rockets Select K.J. McDaniels From Clemson

NBA Mock Draft Pick #25, K.J. McDaniels, Forward, Clemson

SB Nation's Rockets blog The Dream Shake explains the pick:

With the 25th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select K.J. McDaniels, a 6'6" forward from Clemson. For the entire 2013-14 season, the Rockets were so desperate for a wing player to step up and take the minutes behind James Harden and Chandler Parsons. Francisco Garcia and Omri Casspi both tried an failed to do so, and the Rockets were forced to call upon rookie Troy Daniels come playoff time.

McDaniels flashes an intriguing combination of length and athleticism, and with time could figure prominently in a Rockets bench unit that lacks many proven players. He's an average shooter, but runs the floor well in transition and is an excellent finisher at the rim. On the defensive end, McDaniels could make a huge difference as a top-flight defender the Rockets so desperately need.

The Rockets need some role players to fill out a potentially talent top-heavy roster, and McDaniels fits that niche very well.

More: Full NBA Draft Coverage

1 Cleveland Cavaliers: ANDREW WIGGINS 
2 Milwaukee Bucks JABARI PARKER
3 Philadelphia 76ers DANTE EXUM
4 Orlando Magic JULIUS RANDLE
5 Utah Jazz JOEL EMBIID
6 Minnesota Timberwolves (Via Celtics) AARON GORDON
7 Los Angeles Lakers NOAH VONLEH
8 Philadelphia 76ers (via Kings) DARIO SARIC
9 Charlotte Hornets DOUG MCDERMOTT
10 Chicago Bulls (via 76ers) MARCUS SMART
11 Denver Nuggets ZACH LAVINE 
12 Orlando Magic TYLER ENNIS
13 Phoenix Suns (via Timberwolves) ADREIAN PAYNE
14 Phoenix Suns NIK STAUSKAS
15 Atlanta Hawks GARY HARRIS
16 Sacramento Kings (via Chicago Bulls) ELFRID PAYTON
17 Orlando Magic (via Boston Celtics) JUSUF NURKIC
18 Minnesota Timberwolves (via Phoenix Suns) KYLE ANDERSON
19 Philadelphia 76ers (via Chicago Bulls) JAMES YOUNG
20 Dallas Mavericks (via Toronto Raptors) CLINT CAPELA
21 Oklahoma City Thunder PJ HAIRSTON
22 Memphis Grizzlies RODNEY HOOD
23 Utah Jazz CLEANTHONY EARLY
24 Golden State Warriors (via Charlotte Hornets) JORDAN ADAMS 
25 Houston Rockets K.J. MCDANIELS
26 Miami Heat
27 Phoenix Suns
28 Los Angeles Clippers
29 Oklahoma City Thunder
30 San Antonio Spurs