Houston Rockets select Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard

After weeks of rumor-fueled speculation, the Houston Rockets landed their man with the third overall pick: Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard. It was thought that Houston might take Connecticut big man Donovan Clingan or trade an asset out of the third spot, but once they were on the clock, it ended up being Sheppard’s name that was called on the podium.

Sheppard, the most recent addition to Houston’s impressive core of first-round lottery talent, is a 6’3 sharpshooter who shot a blistering 52% from long range during his first season in Kentucky. He’ll ultimately lead the way for a Rockets team that was one of the worst shooting units in the entire league last season and had an overall anemic offense. The Rockets have posted a top-ten defense all year.

Of course, Houston only had a choice following the blockbuster 2021 trade that sent James Harden to Brooklyn. The pick was originally supposed to be ninth, but it came ahead of the others in the lottery drawing. The Rockets traded future obligations owed by Brooklyn in 2026 and 2027 Tuesday night as part of a larger trade that brought trades and picks into the future from the Phoenix Suns. Houston is betting big on an implosion of the Suns.

Sheppard joins a crowded Rockets backcourt that includes veteran guard Fred VanVleet and fourth-year shooting guard Jalen Green, now eligible for a contract extension. Sophomore guards Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore will see significant minutes off the bench. It is unlikely at this time that Sheppard will initially play a major role in the Rockets’ rotation, although he could replace fellow guard Aaron Holiday.

VanVleet, signed to a three-year contract worth $128.54 million last offseason, has a club option on his contract in 2025-26 when he will be owed $44.89 million. If Sheppard develops as hoped, the Rockets could decline the option and part ways with VanVleet, opening up ample room under the salary cap. Sheppard, like VanVleet, brings a change of pace to Houston’s backcourt, thanks to his shooting and playmaking prowess. He will also be under contract for four full seasons after signing his rookie contract.