Reed Sheppard is proving the Rockets' controversial choice in 2024 NBA Draft correct

The Houston Rockets selected Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. At this point in the 2025-26 season. He's justifying that selection.

Sheppard has been polarizing. Some Rockets fans are convinced that he's a future superstar. Others aren't so sure. It's a consequence of Sheppard's confusing player profile.

This is an elite shooter who struggles to get to the rim. Sheppard is an excellent passer, but his inability to penetrate limits his ability to leverage that skill. He's a small guard who's targeted on defense but has an incredible knack for getting steals and blocks.

What do you do with a guy like that?

Any remaining reservations about Sheppard are valid. Yet, so is the remaining optimism. At this juncture, there's nobody the Rockets realistically could have taken that they should wish they did.

Even if some fans disagree.

The Houston Rockets got the right man in the 2024 NBA Draft

If there's one player to compare Sheppard to, it's the one who was picked immediately after him. It's not hard to find Rockets fans who pine for Stephon Castle.

On a surface level, he's been more productive than Sheppard. Castle is averaging 18.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, to Sheppard's 11.2, 3.2, and 2.1. You may be asking yourself how the Rockets could justify selecting Sheppard.

Let's start with shooting. Sheppard is hitting 47.9% of his 5.3 threes per game. Castle is connecting on 25.0% of his 4.0 attempts. That's a massive discrepancy, and it's a critical skill for a Rockets team that's light on shooting.

Meanwhile, Castle may have a large advantage in assists per game. He's also turning the ball over a ghastly 4.3 times per game to Sheppard's 1.3. Part of why Castle has more impressive individual numbers is that he's getting considerably more usage. Sheppard's impressive 4.0 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) dwarfs Castle's 0.4.

None of which is to say Sheppard is unambiguously better than Castle. They're different players in different roles. Moreover, at 6'6" with a 6'9" wingspan. Castle is a far more versatile defender.

Still, it is fair to say that Sheppard is a much better fit in Houston. The Rockets shouldn't regret grabbing him over Castle.

Is there anyone else they should be longing for?

Rockets needed Sheppard more than anyone else

Honestly, no.

The Bulls' Matas Buzelis has been impressive, but he's only averaging 1.1 assists per game to go with 14.3 points. He's a good player, but his playmaking is far from point guard worthy, and the Rockets have enough wings.

Jared McCain was impressive as a rookie, but injuries have hampered his progress. Durability is a factor like any other. Anyway, it's a moot point. Nobody could realistically expect the Rockets to take McCain third - he's exceeded his pre-draft expectations.

That's basically it. Nobody else would be a viable candidate over Sheppard. The Wizards' Alexandre Sarr has been the best player from the class, but he was picked second. Otherwise, Sheppard has a strong case as the next best player from the 2024 Draft:

There's nobody on the board the Rockets would rather have.