ESPN’s Jeremy Woo reported that the Rockets have demonstrated serious interest in Reed Sheppard with “both the front office and ownership intrigued by his fit as a shooter and playmaker next to their established young talent.”
What Rockets general manager Rafael Stone plans to do with the third overall pick in this month’s draft has been the subject of much curiosity. Of course, the Rockets own the pick as a result of the 2021 blockbuster trade which sent James Harden to Brooklyn. The pick was originally projected to be ninth overall before jumping to third on the night of the lottery.
The 6’3 Sheppard would make for an obvious fit in the Houston rotation with his ability to shoot the ball. Sheppard shot 53.6% overall from the floor and 52.1% from long distance last year, his freshman season with the Kentucky Wildcats. The Rockets were one of the worst shooting teams in basketball last season, leading to an otherwise anemic offense, despite having one of the best defenses in the league for much of the year. An improvement on offense could lead to a jump in the standings for Houston.
Woo also reports that the Rockets have “been testing the market for the pick, which holds value due in part to the thought that Clingan, who many teams view as a potential trade-up target, will be available if the first two picks go as currently expected.” It’s believed right now that French forwards Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher will be the first two picks in the draft though recent reports have linked the Atlanta Hawks, owners of the first overall pick, with Connecticut’s Donovan Clingan.
While he may not get many opportunities next season in Houston’s crowded backcourt, there’s a natural long-term spot in the Rockets’ rotation for Sheppard with veteran point guard Fred VanVleet under contract for only one more season. The Rockets have a club option on VanVleet’s contract in 2025-2026 when he is projected to earn $44.89 million. VanVleet was signed last summer by Stone, along with veteran forward Dillon Brooks, to infuse maturity and leadership into a very young Houston lockerroom lacking in those qualities. That plan largely worked with the Rockets turning in a 41 win season in 2023-2024. But the training wheels will have to come off soon enough as the Rockets’ “Core 6” of young prospects grow and transition past their rookie scale contracts.
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