L.J. Cryer has made waves as a standout guard for the Houston Cougars, earning a reputation as one of college basketball’s top shooters. During the 2024-25 season, he led Houston with an average of 15.4 points per game, along with 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists, maintaining a field goal percentage of 40.9%.
As the NBA Draft approaches, plenty of teams could come calling for the 2021 national champion. Here are five spots that make the most sense for the talented guard.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors could be a strong landing spot for L.J. Cryer. Their point guard future is a real question mark. Stephen Curry is 37. While still elite, he won’t be around forever. Golden State has to start thinking long term, and Cryer fits the mold.
Outside of Curry, the depth at point guard is pretty thin — just Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer. Cryer wouldn’t be thrown into the fire. He’d get the chance to learn from one of the greatest to ever do it while building confidence off the bench. Down the line, he could grow into a big piece of the puzzle.
Houston Rockets
Staying in Houston might be the smoothest move for L.J. Cryer. He already knows the city, the fan base, and the culture. The Rockets have built their identity around defense in recent seasons, and Cryer fits right in with that mindset.
The Rockets currently have Fred VanVleet running the point. While VanVleet has been a solid edition for the Rockets since joining them in 2023, Cryer brings a different flavor — more of a natural scorer. Plugging him into the backcourt could add some much-needed offensive punch. And let’s be real: with his ties to the Cougars and his Katy roots, fans would be all-in from day one.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers could be another solid fit for Cryer. James Harden is 35 now, and no one’s sure how long he’ll stick around. Plus, Harden’s more of a scorer than a classic floor general.
That leaves room for a young, true point guard to come in and help balance things out.
Cryer is steady, experienced, and knows how to win. For a team that’s trying to stay in the playoff mix while slowly shifting away from its veteran core, Cryer could be a smart, low-risk addition to the backcourt.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers already have their star in Tyrese Haliburton, but adding someone like Cryer could take some pressure off him. Haliburton does a lot — scoring, passing, running the show. Letting him lean more into his scoring could open things up even more, especially with veteran T.J. McConnell nearing the end of his run.
Cryer would slide in as a reliable secondary ballhandler. He can create his own shot or play off the ball, which fits perfectly in Indiana’s fast-paced, high-scoring system. It’s not about replacing anyone — it’s about giving the Pacers another weapon in an already explosive offense.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans could be a smart long-term play for Cryer. C.J. McCollum is still solid, but at 33, he’s probably not part of the team’s bigger picture. Drafting Cryer gives New Orleans a young, moldable guard who could grow with their core — Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray included.
He wouldn’t have to do it all at once. Learning next to someone like McCollum would be huge for his development. With Cryer’s ability to shoot and make smart plays, he could easily become a key part of the Pelicans’ backcourt rotation down the line.
L.J. Cryer’s shooting prowess and experience make him a promising NBA Draft prospect, with potential fits like those mentioned above offering unique paths to success.