Rockets' Marcus Smart signing creates obvious Reed Sheppard dilemma

The Houston Rockets have started their offseason by adding Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marcus Smart, two veterans who address very different needs. Bogdanovic gives Houston another shooter. Smart gives Ime Udoka a defensive-minded guard off the bench. Signing Smart raises a bigger question about Reed Sheppard’s role.

Can Marcus Smart play alongside Reed Sheppard?

Smart’s signing raises a question: how does this front office view Sheppard going forward? Smart and Sheppard have very different skill sets, yet with both being listed at 6’3” or under, they make an odd fit.

Head coach Ime Udoka has famously kept Sheppard on a short leash due to defensive concerns. Many fans have called out Udoka for this approach, because although those defensive concerns are very real, Sheppard is also one of the only plus shooters on the roster.

There were many games last season where Sheppard found himself on the bench, despite Houston’s offense looking cramped and listless. That was before Houston even had another capable backup guard.

If Sheppard’s defensive concerns continue, will the addition of Marcus Smart give Udoka further reason to cut Sheppard’s minutes? That could be disastrous for the young guard’s development, and it could also significantly hurt Houston’s offense.

Smart is a capable ball handler and decision maker, but he is not a reliable floor spacer. He is a career 32.4% three-point shooter, which is a real concern for a Rockets team that already needs more shooting. He is going to bring defensive energy, a veteran presence, and secondary playmaking, but this signing will only be successful if Smart and Sheppard can share the floor.

Sheppard and Smart’s skill sets may complement each other

For Houston to take a step forward, they need Sheppard. He directly addresses the spacing issues that hurt the Rockets all of last season.

It is also possible that Smart and Sheppard will flourish together. Houston had a shortage of guards last season. That meant Sheppard was often asked to take on difficult defensive matchups.

That should not be the case anymore with Smart on the roster. Smart can take on difficult defensive assignments, while Sheppard can focus more on providing an offensive punch. That leans into both players’ strengths.

Overall, there is potential for this pairing to either help or hurt Sheppard’s development. It is up to Udoka to ensure that Sheppard is able to find success in the upcoming season, even if that means choosing him over Smart if the two cannot share the floor.

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