Earlier this offseason, the Houston Rockets pushed their chips to the middle of the desk by buying and selling for Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, giving up a bundle centered round Jalen Inexperienced within the course of. The transfer signaled that the Rockets are all-in on competing for an NBA championship within the close to future after ending second within the Western Convention this previous season.
With their guard depth now compromised because of the departure of Inexperienced, the Rockets could also be leaning extra closely on second yr participant Reed Sheppard, who they drafted quantity three total out of Kentucky in 2024.
Just lately, Sheppard stopped by ESPN’s NBA Right now set on the Summer time League in Las Vegas and spoke on what his response was when he heard that his group was buying Durant.
“Clearly once I noticed it, it was actually cool for me. I grew up watching him my complete life, so it is type of loopy now that I’ll be taking part in with him. However he is an ideal scorer, he actually can do something, he is an ideal winner, so it will be actually enjoyable. I am actually excited to play with him,” stated Sheppard, per NBA on ESPN on YouTube.
Can Reed Sheppard contribute?
In his rookie season, Reed Sheppard did not see a lot constant taking part in time underneath head coach Ime Udoka, who opted to trot out a extra defensive-focused lineup that helped the Rockets internet themselves the quantity two seed.
Nevertheless, Sheppard is perhaps the second finest pure bounce shooter on the roster behind Durant, and he additionally flashed some playmaking capability throughout his time at Kentucky, which may open the door for him to see some backup level guard minutes this yr behind Fred VanVleet.
This shall be particularly wanted because the Rockets misplaced a superb little bit of scoring punch and perimeter play by giving up each Inexperienced and Dillon Brooks within the Durant commerce in addition to Cam Whitmore in a while within the offseason.
If Sheppard is ready to step up in rotational minutes this yr, the Rockets may really be a power to be reckoned with within the Western Convention.