Pressure builds on Reed Sheppard with Marcus Smart joining the Rockets

The Houston Rockets added the ideal Ime Udoka player in Marcus Smart, which puts even more pressure on Reed Sheppard to lock in defensively and finally reach his potential. Fred VanVleet will return from injury, and the Rockets have quickly built a crowded backcourt. Sheppard took a step forward last season, but struggled in the playoffs. Fans know he’s had issues earning the head coach’s trust. Now, the Rockets have other answers.

Sheppard was the third overall draft pick, and he’s saying all the right things. There is untapped potential, but he needs to be given confidence to unleash it. The 22-year-old will make mistakes and take some ill-advised shots. He is still learning and improving. The Rockets need to live with that and use them as teaching moments if they want Sheppard to reach his full potential.

Minutes will be even harder to come by with Smart in Houston. The veteran was just a starter and key contributor for the Lakers last season. He is still a lockdown defender and just the type of guard coach Udoka wants. The pressure is further on Sheppard to earn his minutes and prove he is the future for the Rockets.

Pressure builds on Reed Sheppard after Rockets add Marcus Smart

Houston has their sights set on winning after two straight first-round playoff exits. They know they needed more playmaking and better point-of-attack defense. It is why they targeted Smart. He just helped the Lakers defeat the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. Smart caused havoc for Sheppard and helped lead to his disastrous playoffs.

The 22-year-old averaged 13.5 points, 3.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 26.2 minutes per game during the regular season. He is still improving his efficiency and defense, but it was a strong second season. Houston needed more playmaking with FVV injured, and Sheppard proved he can be a secondary option.

The Rockets are not being cheap. They paid for Smart and are trying to win. Houston has the talent, but they need the young players to keep growing their games. Sheppard has to be a major piece of that.

Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun are the top two scorers, but the Rockets need playmakers. Amen Thompson and Sheppard didn’t cut it last season. If Sheppard can’t grow into that option, he may forever be a sixth man.

There has to be growth as an on-ball creator this season, along with playing the defense coach Udoka wants. Those are his paths to becoming the star fans were hoping for when he was selected third overall in 2024 and one spot ahead of San Antonio Spurs star Stephon Castle.

This is a make-or-break season. Sheppard is extension-eligible next offseason, and it feels like things may be headed for a breakup if Smart and FVV prove to be the primary backcourt options this season.

The Rockets want to contend. They can’t give a massive extension to Sheppard if he’s not playing a crucial role. That is how things work in the second apron era, and it puts even more pressure on the 22-year-old.

The Houston Rockets have put a ton of heat on Reed Sheppard to take another step forward. He should be better in year three, but the runway for playing time is clouded even further by the addition of Marcus Smart. Can the 22-year-old keep growing in the face of the obstacles? Rockets fans will have to stay tuned to find out.

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