Rockets just made their real thoughts on Reed Sheppard crystal clear

The Houston Rockets are ready for Reed Sheppard to take a massive leap forward, and based on Keith Smith of Spotrac’s conversation with a front office executive, it’s just up to him to take the minutes and run with the opportunity.

“Big year coming for Reed. I’ve seen you make the Payton Pritchard comp before, and I think that’s sort of fair. Pritchard had to prove it to earn his minutes. Same with Reed,” a Rockets front office executive told Smith. “We had a tough backcourt to get minutes in last year. This year, there are minutes there for him, if he takes them. Ime (Udoka) doesn’t give anyone anything. If you play, it’s because you earned his trust and earned that time. Reed did everything we asked, and now he’s on his way to earning those rotation minutes.”

The question is, will Sheppard live up to the challenge?

What does Reed Sheppard bring to the table?

When the Rockets selected Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, they added an elite three-point shooter with underrated defense, capable of creating for himself and for others.

Unfortunately for Sheppard, he was thrust into a situation where minutes were not simply going to be given. Had he ended up with the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, or another rebuilding team, perhaps he would have played big-time minutes in Year 1. But he didn’t.

Instead, Sheppard is a Rocket. And Ime Udoka doesn’t just hand out minutes. However, heading into next season, there could be a chance for Sheppard to play a significant role in Houston.

Following their blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant, which shipped out two guards/wings in Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, there should be room for Sheppard to step up into a larger role within the Rockets’ rotation.

As it stands, there are only two true guards on Houston’s roster outside of Sheppard: Fred VanVleet and Aaron Holiday. (Kevon Harris is on a two-way contract.) Obviously, Amen Thompson can handle the ball, Josh Okogie can play the two a bit, and Durant will get plenty of touches, but in terms of pure guards, that’s really it.

The Rockets have built a team with a lot of size and athleticism, but it comes with the need for three-point shooting. And not only does Sheppard have the ability to provide that, but based on the quote Smith got, they believe in him a lot.

Sheppard could have a chance to blossom in Houston this year.