Houston Rockets select Reed Sheppard with No. 3 overall pick

The Houston Rockets drafted Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Rockets are determined to land a star player this offseason, and it has been reported and rumored that they would give up the No. 3 pick to do so. Yet they held firm, landing Sheppard as he and Donovan Clingan were continually mocked in Houston before the two-day event began.

Houston last drafted No. 3 in the draft in 2022, securing Jabari Smith Jr. who is an incredible defender whose offensive game is slowly coming together. The team adds Sheppard to a solid young core, which includes Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and more. Still, the team lacked shooting and Sheppard directly adds that to the Rockets.

The Rockets’ intention to win has now been made incredibly clear. They built a near-playoff team last season, going 41-41 after signing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to their roster in free agency.

As mentioned, one area the team lacked in pursuit of playoff basketball was shooting. Sheppard averaged 12.5 points per game, playing 28.9 minutes per game in 33 games (five starts). In those games, he converted 52 percent of his 3-point shots, adding elite spacing to the floor.

Sheppard is sneakily athletic, although undersized at 6-foot-3 and 187 pounds. His lack of size can be covered by his backcourt counterpart Thompson, since both will be bench guards next season.

Drafting Sheppard was one way the team could address an immediate need while still getting a high-upside player who fit the long-term plans.

Now, the Rockets will continue to navigate free agency and the offseason as potential trade partners linked to a handful of stars, who Sheppard could have the opportunity to play with.

READ MORE: Rockets take Reed Sheppard with No. 3 pick in 2024 NBA Draft

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