Kevin Durant extension could have a disastrous effect on Rockets' young guard

As the Houston Rockets begin to balance out their cap sheet for the coming seasons, their biggest looming predicaments come in the form of extensions for both young forward Tari Eason and their newest superstar acquisition Kevin Durant.

Yet, having already locked in most of their young core long-term, young guard Reed Sheppard has mostly gone under the radar, and, when he hits restricted free agency two seasons from now, a potentially hefty Kevin Durant extension could make his situation significantly more complicated.

To make matters worse, Sheppard played a relatively miniscule role on the Rockets last season, averaging just 12.6 minutes per game, and it still remains to be seen if he can reach his offensive ceiling.

Reed Sheppard could be left in the dust by the Rockets' looming extensions

Eason, who was the team's 17th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is evidently their first priority in their upcoming negotiations. Last season, 57 games, Eason averaged 12 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists, and his increasingly important role on the team's bench unit means that they will have to get out ahead of what could be a contentious restricted free agency for him next offseason.

Secondly, the team will almost certainly turn their attention toward Durant, who they acquired from the Phoenix Suns with the serious intention of extending beyond this season. At age 37, Durant will likely command less than a max contract, but, given the enduring level of his play at this point in his career, this will also represent another hefty figure on Houston's books.

Moreover, the team has already locked down Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. long-term, leaving their financial flexibility moving forward looking increasingly slim.

This, then, leaves Sheppard. Although, having just finished his first season in the NBA, any talks of an extension are a long way off for him, his potential as a catch-and-shoot threat is massive, and the fact that Rockets spent their third overall pick in 2024 on the young guard means that bringing him back on what will need to be a team-friendly deal will be a major priority.

However, Sheppard will need to earn this contract. Last season, he shot just 33.8% from 3-point range and, frankly, did not look much better in his second Summer League. While Sheppard will likely play a larger role this season, he will need to begin performing in order to earn his place in a loaded Rockets' rotation, and, if he is unable to do so, it does not project well for how his role will continue to be shaped through the rest of his rookie contract.

For a team with loads of cap space, giving a high lottery pick the extension they desire would essentially be a no-brainer. Yet, as it stands, the Rockets do not seem like they will have extensive financial flexibility when Sheppard's extension comes due, and it could result in a contentious situation for the young guard.