Rockets' Reed Sheppard should be Rookie of the Year candidate

The Houston Rockets have high hopes for 2024-25.

The playoffs are the objective. In 2023-24, even approaching the postseason counted as a success. Heading into this season, the Rockets either participate in the big dance, or they fail.

Traditionally, rookies aren't particularly useful in this situation. When a team has win-now aspirations, they don't tend to lean on young players.

Could Reed Sheppard be an exception in 2024-25?

Rockets rookie is expected to see the floor

Tim McMahon of the Hoop Collective podcast thinks so.

"He'll be on the floor, I think he'll play a significant role as a playmaker off the bench..."

-Tim McMahon, Hoop Collective

McMahon is a legitimate insider. His hunch here is likely based on some intel. When he speaks, Rockets fans should listen.

What could Sheppard's role look like next year?

Sheppard's skillset should travel

McMahoin said "playmaker". That's fascinating.

Without question, Sheppard's playmaking will aid his cause this year. His floor vision will make it easier for Ime Udoka to trust him. Still, it's not the primary skill that ought to put him on the court.

That would be his shooting. Sheppard shot 52.5% from long-range for Kentucky last year. That percentage won't carry over into the league - not this year at least, and probably not ever.

Still, his college shooting suggests that he could be the best shooter on the Rockets from his first day in the NBA. That's a low bar, as the Rockets were one of the worst-shooting teams in the NBA last year. If we filter out teams without playoff aspirations, they were at the bottom.

So, Sheppard should see the floor by function. He does something that he Rockets need someone to do.

Could that help him pick up an illustrious accolade?

Sheppard should be Rookie of the Year candidate

Let's look at the field.

The Hawks selected Zacharie Risacher with the first overall pick. As it stands, they seem unlikely to move Trae Young. Risacher should see more floor time than Sheppard, but we suspect his ball-handling duties will be minimal alongside the heliocentric star.

At the second spot, the Wizards went with Alexandre Sarr. He should be on the floor for the tanking Wizards, but Sarr looks raw. He may not be ready to be a positive contributor as a rookie.

Otherwise, we'd keep an eye on the Blazers' Donovan Clingan. With Deandre Ayton's inconsistency and Robert Williams III's injury concerns, he's got an opportunity to land a starting gig, and he could be NBA-ready.

The Kings' Devin Carter and the Heat's Kel'el Ware are similarly NBA-ready prospects who could have meaningful roles on their teams. Sheppard will face stiff competition to win the Rookie of the Year award, but we expect him to be in the running.

Just don't expect the Rockets to focus on his individual success. They've got bigger goals in mind.