Report: Rockets Trade Chase Budinger, Prospect to Timberwolves for 18th Overall Pick

The Rockets are stockpiling draft picks.

Houston has sent Chase Budinger and Israeli prospect Lior Eliyahu to Minnesota in exchange for the 18th overall pick in this year’s draft, according to Yahoo! Sports. The Rockets now have the 14th, 16th and 18th selections in Round 1.

This deal may coincide with a report that surfaced Sunday stating that the Rockets are looking to acquire a pair of top 10 picks that they can then use as part of a package for Dwight Howard, although it’s unclear whether Howard would sign a long-term deal with Houston.

Budinger, the 44th overall pick in 2009, has averaged 9.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game over the course of his three-year career.

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