One year after the 2024 NBA Draft, a re-evaluation was conducted by The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, placing Reed Sheppard, the Houston Rockets’ promising guard, slightly lower than his original selection. Sheppard, initially chosen third overall, moved down to fourth in this redraft, confirming his status as an important asset for the Rockets despite a challenging rookie season.
Details of the Revised Draft Order
The redraft adjusted the top ten picks for 2024, showcasing a notable reshuffle compared to the original results. In Vecenie’s ranking, Stephon Castle claimed the top spot, followed by Zaccharie Risacher and Jared McCain. Sheppard was positioned just behind them at fourth overall, ahead of other notable prospects like Donovan Clingan and Matas Buzelis. This new order contrasted sharply with the initial draft, where Zaccharie Risacher went first and Sheppard was third.
Evaluation of Sheppard’s Rookie Season and Potential
Despite a rookie campaign where Sheppard saw limited playing time and struggled statistically, Vecenie chose not to demote him further in the re-ranking. Sheppard played only 654 minutes, largely due to the Rockets fielding a deep and competitive roster that aimed for a Western Conference title. His performance was marked by deficiencies in defense and scoring efficiency, including a poor three-point shooting rate.
Nevertheless, Sheppard’s strengths remain evident. He boasts excellent vision, playmaking skills, and a high basketball IQ that enables him to create opportunities through ball screens. His shooting, when on form, is considered elite from beyond the arc. Summer league play further demonstrated his capacity to set pace and manage tempo, especially highlighted by a strong showing against the LA Clippers. These traits reflect the potential he exhibited during his tenure at Kentucky.
Context of Houston Rockets’ Team Strategy Affecting Sheppard’s Role
The Rockets entered their rookie season focusing on a championship push, which often sidelines first-year players in favor of veterans. This dynamic affected Sheppard’s ability to secure significant minutes, a situation uncommon for top lottery picks who rarely join top-ranked Western Conference teams. Houston’s management appears optimistic about Sheppard’s growth, having increased his playing time in the current season and maintaining a flexible contract situation with veteran guard Fred VanVleet, whose deal might be tradeable.
Future Outlook for Sheppard’s Contribution to the Rockets
Looking ahead, Sheppard has one of the clearest opportunities among rookies to establish a meaningful role on the Rockets. With his combination of passing, ball-handling, and shooting skills, he could become a vital component of the team’s offense. The Houston squad’s offseason moves notably included acquiring Kevin Durant, who cannot shoulder the entire offensive load, making Sheppard’s development critical for the team’s overall success.
Implications of the Redraft and What Lies Ahead
While the redraft reflected a modest drop for Sheppard, his overall valuation remains high due to his underlying skill set and upside potential. This suggests that the Houston Rockets view him as a foundational player for their future plans. His progress in the upcoming season will be closely watched as an indicator of whether he can convert his promise into consistent impact on the court.
“I’m fully aware of the hate I’m going to get for saying that I’d still take Sheppard ahead of some players below him after the rookie season he had. But if I’m hunting for upside, I’m still riding with Sheppard. I don’t see much in terms of potential star power below this level. But I can at least see a world in which Sheppard maximizes his passing and shooting ability into becoming a serious difference-maker.”
—Sam Vecenie, The Athletic
“His performance in particular against the LA Clippers was high level, showcasing many of the traits we saw at Kentucky when he got a chance to run the show and at summer league in 2024. Houston clearly has faith in him, having opened up playing time this year for him while also only committing to Fred VanVleet for two more years on a contract that I think is quite tradable.”
—Sam Vecenie, The Athletic
“Sheppard didn’t have the opportunity to make an impact as a rookie, as the Rockets were seeking to make a title run, and rookies oftentimes get buried on the depth chart upon landing on competitive teams. In fact, top-five lottery picks don’t normally make their way on a top-two team in the Western Conference, so it’s not exactly on Sheppard.”
—Sam Vecenie, The Athletic