Daryl Morey and the Rockets are attempting to finally obtain a star player to build around.

“We have four ways to get a foundational, franchise player,” general manager Daryl Morey said. “One is through our players on our roster who have that ability to reach that level reaching it. One is trade. One is free agency. And one is through the draft.

“We think every roster spot and rotation spot is precious and every one of them, or nearly every one of them, needs to either have a chance to develop into a star or leave us flexible to acquire a star with cap room or through other means.”

Marcus Morris, Donatas Motiejunas, Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Lamb, Royce White and Terrence Jones were all acquired in the past two drafts.

“When you’re close and have a foundational piece, you should be willing to give up picks and overpay players, whatever it takes while you have that precious foundation to get better,” Morey said. “When you don’t have a foundational piece to build around, you should do every move in reverse, which is how does each move get us closer to getting a star, how does it get us more cap room, how does it get us more high picks and how does it get us more players with potential.”