Rockets News: Redrafting Reed Sheppard, Grading Jalen Green

The Houston Rockets may have struck gold in the 2024 NBA Draft.

They were lucky to even be in a position to strike. The Nets were not supposed to send them the third overall pick. The Rockets defied the lottery odds, but they still had to make the right decision.

So far, Reed Sheppard looks like the right decision. CBS Sports' Kyle Boone would hold that he should have already been off the board at No. 3.

It's too early to redraft the 2024 NBA Draft

When he redrafted the last class, he put Sheppard first. He had the Wizards selecting Zaccharie Risacher with the second pick, and the Rockets settling on Donovan Clingan at 3.

Without being disrespectful, we'll say this - it's too early to redraft 2024. Boone acknowledges this, calling his piece a "way-too-early" redraft.

It's too early for even a "way-too-early" redraft. Still, Rockets fans should be pleased that the consensus is so high on Sheppard. We have no idea where he'll land in redrafts years down the road, but he's on the right track to justify the pick the Rockets used to land him.

We can't say the same for another off-guard they picked in the lottery.

Rockets' Jalen Green on the outside looking in

HoopsHype has been releasing their NBA positional rankings recently. They pegged Green as the ninth-best off-guard in the NBA.

We felt that they underrated Fred VanVleet, and we'll stand by that. His best qualities tend to go unnoticed. It isn't only HoopsHype that underrates the steady veteran floor general.

By contrast, we won't argue Green's case.

One could make the case that he should be ranked ahead of Austin Reaves, who landed seventh. Green has carried a larger offensive burden than Reaves, who's benefited from playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Fair. On the other hand, HoopsHype isn't ranking based on situation - they're ranking players, period. Reaves has been more impactful than Green, so it's easy to justify his ranking.

Otherwise, nobody can objectively put Green ahead of Zach LaVine (6th) or Desmond Bane (5th). It would be intellectually dishonest. HoopsHype was fair in their evaluation of Green's place among his peers.

Can he change that place this year? It's possible. Green has certainly shown that potential in his career. Still, he needs to be a more consistent contributor to eclipse those players. This is a pivotal season for the young guard:

For what it's worth, Sheppard is around the corner.