Reed Sheppard brings a surprising skillset to the Houston Rockets

At the end of the 2023-2024 NBA season, one thing was particularly clear: the Rockets needed better shooting. Therefore, when the Rockets drafted the Kentucky marksman Reed Sheppard with their third overall pick, expectations were through the roof.

Reed Sheppard's Summer League Debut

In his summer league debut, Sheppard wasted no time unveiling his potential, posting 23 points, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks. His 3-point range was on display with him shooting 4-7 from three, but that only scratched the surface of what he had to offer.

Sheppard also showed a lot of potential as a passer, finding teammates when they were open at the perimeter and making reads even in tight space. His court vision was particularly on display through an array of difficult passes.

Sheppard got it done on the defensive end as well. Aside from his stellar shot blocking, his quick hands were instrumental in disrupting many of the Lakers' possessions. He also showed excellent on-ball defense, utilizing his lateral quickness to stay glued to whoever he was guarding.

Sheppard's masterclass was not devoid of showmanship either as he was sinking very deep "logo threes" and even put Lakers' prospect Dalton Knetcht on skates with his swift handles.

The sole flaw in Sheppard's otherwise remarkable debut was his lackluster finishing at the rim. In a few instances, Sheppard would drive to the rim but not convert on a simple look. Sheppard's hurdles at the rim have been a subject of scouting reports, but we can expect that playing alongside a passer such as Fred VanVleet can nurture his growth.

Reed Sheppard's Game Should Translate Well With the Rockets

Reed Sheppard finished the summer league with astounding averages of 20 ppg, 5.8 apg, 2.8 spg, and 1.3 bpg. While the sample size is still minimal, Sheppard's success gives many promising omens for the regular season.

Ime Udoka's coaching last year helped the Rockets develop a new identity. Gritty defense. From Dillon Brooks' suffocating defense to Tari Eason's pesky hands, the Rockets were especially menacing on the defensive end. Sheppard would fit perfectly in this system. As guards are susceptible to being hunted by offenses, having a strong on-ball defender like Sheppard could close this avenue for opponents.

A lineup with both Sheppard and Amen Thompson could be promising. Aside from just the excellent 1-2 punch of shooting and finishing that the duo could offer, their collective defense could give even lethal offenses issues. This lineup could be a quick adjustment that Coach Udoka employs when opposing teams are on a run.

With tenacity and hustle being heavily valued by Coach Udoka, there is a prospect that Sheppard could steadily work up the rotation, akin to Cam Whitmore last year. However, it is crucial to set realistic standards for Sheppard's rookie year. Due to the Rockets' pre-existing young core and depth, there will likely not be enough minutes for him to have a rookie of the year campaign.

That being said, Reed Sheppard should still serve as a useful remedy to the Rockets' shooting issues. His success in catch-and-shoot situations will open up the playbook and help diversify the Rockets' offense. Furthermore, Sheppard's success as a shot creator, as seen in the summer league could give the Rockets expansive avenues to include him in their offense.

The dynamic between Fred VanVleet and Sheppard could particularly be ambitious. VanVleet's skills as a distributor will help him find Sheppard whenever he's open, even if it's just for a small window of time. Both of them, being good shooters, will also command respect from defenses, thus spacing out the floor and making it easier in the paint for the Alperen Sengun. Lastly, coupling up VanVleet's point of attack defense with Sheppard's lateral quickness will go a long way in dealing with formidable backcourts.

Overall, from what we have seen so far from Reed Sheppard, there is a lot to look forward to. His shooting will be a great utility as the Rockets look to make the playoffs for the first time in 5 seasons. Putting the big picture aside, he will just generally make the Rockets more fun to watch, adding to an already exciting young core.