Rockets need to make Reed Sheppard realization Hawks, Wizards failed to see

The 2024 NBA Draft was heralded as one of the worst in recent memory, and so far this season, it’s living up to that belief. Nobody from the class has particularly impressed for long stretches outside of Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain, who is now likely out for the season. However, Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard could be next up.

Sheppard just posted an extremely impressive stat line in his G League debut for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He finished the game with 49 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block while shooting 17-of-33 from the floor and 8-of-19 from beyond the three-point arc.

This massive performance proves that the Rockets need to quickly come to a realization that the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards failed to make.

Reed Sheppard was the best player in the 2024 NBA Draft

Atlanta and Washington had the first and second picks in this year’s draft. They selected fellow Frenchmen Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, both of whom have been fine in their rookie years so far.

However, both have been horrendously inefficient on the offensive end. And Sarr, in particular, hasn’t proven that he’s anything more than a project on that side of the ball.

Sheppard hasn’t earned a ton of opportunities in Houston as they have been trying to compete for home-court advantage in the Western Conference playoffs. But that doesn’t mean he’s not talented. In fact, his performance in the G League proves the exact opposite.

The Rockets may not have a ton of minutes for Sheppard right now, but based on how well he played with the Vipers, they need to find some. His shooting and defensive potential would be a massive help for them.

For as great as Houston has been this season, their offense hasn’t been amazing. Having a guy like Sheppard in the rotation would certainly help with that, especially if he can maintain their level of defensive intensity.

Sheppard is a better NBA prospect than both Risacher and Sarr. Just because those teams had some guards on their roster shouldn’t have dissuaded them from taking the best player available.

If he were on either of those squads, he could have found his way in any role they would have handed him because of his ability to play on and off the ball. But instead, they took guys who look like project players.

Houston got the draft’s best prospect, and after his performance in the G League, it’s time for them to realize it.