Reed Sheppard's limitations have left the Rockets with only one choice

The Houston Rockets have started an unconventionally huge lineup in 2025-26. They're unlikely to change that lineup to add Reed Sheppard.

Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes thinks differently. He just published an article naming one player from every team who could steal a starting spot. He suggested Sheppard was that guy for the Rockets.

Consider this a polite disagreement.

Rockets can't start Sheppard this year

That's not to say Hughes is being outright illogical.

"If this gambit doesn't pay off, Reed Sheppard has to get a look as a starter."

- Grant Hughes, Bleacher Report

Hughes points out the glaring lack of shooting in Houston's starting lineup. He's right.

That still doesn't mean the Rockets should start him.

Avert your eyes if you're squeamish. Sheppard has a -5.0 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) through 2 games. If you've watched those games, you know exactly what's going on. Sheppard is far too easy a target on the defensive end of the floor.

A box score watcher may be confused. Sheppard is averaging an astonishing 2.0 steals per game in just 24.5 minutes. The eye test shows that Sheppard has remarkably quick hands, but his feet don't match. Coupled with his small size, that means Sheppard can be exploited despite his defensive playmaking.

That's just one part of a confusing statistical profile. Sheppard is shooting 45.5% from three-point range, but just 27.3% from the field. His three-point shooting is a tremendous relief, but it's been nearly impossible for him to convert inside the line.

What does that mean moving forward?

Rockets should have faith in Sheppard

It may be that the Rockets need to trade Sheppard this year. Nobody should rule out that possibility. This team was built to win, and they're losing.

It's not surprising that Sheppard isn't ready to start for a title contender as a sophomore. Few sophomores would be.

In fact, the Rockets should be encouraged by some of the developments in Sheppard's game this year.

So far, he looks like the generational shooter the Rockets thought they were drafting. As a sophomore, Sheppard is doing perfectly fine. Every stat that's been outlined in this piece is either excellent or horrible, but in the aggregate, Sheppard has been encouraging.

If the Rockets can fix their issues and keep Sheppard, that would be ideal. He's flashed no shortage of potential, but the odds of him being ready to start this year are slim. If anyone's going to steal a spot in that lineup, it's likely Tari Eason despite how poorly he's started the year:

If you stick him at the 2, at least the Rockets are still huge.