NEW YORK — By the time the Houston Rockets were officially on the clock on Wednesday evening, their focus — which had centered on Donovan Clingan and Reed Sheppard for days — had shifted towards the latter.
Shortly before the start of the NBA Draft, interest in Sheppard — who had previously been connected to Memphis and Charlotte (plus Houston and San Antonio) — had even reached Atlanta, with the Hawks rumored to be deciding between the Kentucky guard and Zacchaire Risacher for the No. 1 pick.
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It was believed at one point that Clingan was a possible target for Atlanta, a combination of his defensive prowess, Alex Sarr’s refusal to visit the Hawks and the team’s lack of rim protection.
But Sheppard’s late entry into Atlanta’s plans, and several teams regarding the sharpshooter as the top prospect on their board, confirmed the growing reality that his market was more robust than Clingan’s. Both the Hornets and Grizzlies stayed put, with Charlotte drafting Tidjane Salaun and Memphis selecting Zach Edey. The Connecticut big man went seventh to the Portland Trail Blazers, with no team trading up to acquire his services.
The Rockets, who had a high grade for both prospects, began to set up potential trade-down scenarios if Sheppard were taken by either Atlanta or Washington. In the end, Houston’s brass deemed his elite shooting too potentially dynamic of a skill to pass up, a decision made easier by having a clearer picture of a Clingan sweepstakes that never materialized; the Rockets couldn’t extract future assets from desperate teams as a result.
“We had Sheppard very, very high,” Rockets general manager Rafael Stone told reporters late Wednesday evening. “I think lots of players, including Donovan, are going to be very successful. But our evaluation was that Reed has a very special skill set that gives him a chance to be special in the NBA in a way we thought was unique in this draft.”
Sheppard’s visit to Houston’s facilities a week ago had left team sources impressed with his all-around game — playmaking, overall feel for the game, quick hands and instincts. His private workout was lengthy, but Sheppard’s ability to make a wide array of shots, even while fatigued, was notable.
It might not have had the same tenacity and explosion as Amen Thompson or Jalen Green in years past, but the positive energy emanating from Sheppard’s time in Houston stuck with decision-makers. A consistent theme during the extended time team officials spent in both California and Texas with Sheppard was his humility and eagerness to learn. But his appeal wasn’t just with the front office. Sheppard’s aura caught on almost immediately with the Rockets fan base, analysts and experts who consistently mocked him to Houston. The Athletic even asked a few current Rockets players in the weeks leading up to the draft who they believed would be the choice, and their collective answer was Sheppard.
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When juxtaposed with Clingan — whose representation opted against a visit, with an obvious conflict of interest while also representing starting center Alperen Şengün — the case for Sheppard only grew.
In Sheppard, the Rockets add the best shooter in the draft, an area publicly identified by head coach Ime Udoka as an offseason need. But they also now possess another quality playmaker, an on-court aspect whose absence was felt when either Fred VanVleet or Şengün sat. Per Cleaning the Glass, Houston finished the season ranked just 20th in half-court offensive efficiency, a detriment to the progress made on the defensive end. Sheppard’s presence on the floor is dynamic as a standalone because of his marksmanship, but his gravity can improve the product as a whole.
“I think it spaces the floor,” new teammate Jalen Green told The Athletic. “We got a lot of young talent, a lot of athletes who can get downhill in transition. Spacing the floor is going to open up a lot of things and obviously, he adds shooting for us. We’re going to get a lot more 3s up.”
Got our guy 👏@reed_sheppard | pic.twitter.com/0u20ejZczL
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 27, 2024
On paper, the Rockets’ rotation under Udoka appears to have solidified, but in Sheppard’s case, there are reasons for optimism. His presence now could make free-agent guard Aaron Holiday expendable, especially if he commands more than the veteran’s minimum he signed for last season. Sheppard should fit in nicely within Houston’s second unit alongside Cam Whitmore, Thompson and Tari Eason and also can fit with the likes of Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Şengün.
Defensively, the Rockets have enough physical, lengthy bodies to ensure Sheppard isn’t exposed or routinely targeted, but the rookie developed a penchant for making plays at Kentucky. At the pro level, he’ll need to build muscle and work on lateral quickness, timing and focus. But there’s no doubt that the series of moves Houston has made over the past 48 hours have strengthened them in the present and future.
Shortly after Sheppard’s name was called, The Athletic briefly caught up with the newest Rocket. Here’s their conversation.
Reed, the Rockets seemed to be your last stop before making your way over to New York. What about that visit felt right to you?
I was able to build a relationship with the coaches and front office, and it just felt really good. They were very nice to me and my family; it felt like home. You can’t really explain that feeling, but it just felt that’s where I was supposed to be and it’s where I ended up. I’m super excited. I really don’t have a lot to say. It’s just a dream come true, and I can’t wait to get started.
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You mentioned conversations with the coaches. What was the nature of those talks? More of a potential fit with the current team or something else?
The biggest thing right away is the shooting, just coming in and being able to knock down shots. But at the same time, coming in and doing what you do daily. Playing basketball the right way. Having a high IQ. Just doing the right basketball play. I’m excited just to get in and learn, compete and build relationships with all the guys and coaches even better. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
Your ability to shoot the ball and space the floor has been the biggest talking point about your game since this process started. Do you feel like the best shooter in this draft class?
You know, I think there are a lot of great shooters in the class. I’m very confident in myself shooting the basketball and being able to do that with a bunch of really young, athletic guards will be even better. They have so many eyes on them getting downhill and to the rim, so being able to space the floor will be huge.
There is a good amount of talent on this team — Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore to name a few. Where do you see yourself sliding into that group?
Spacing the floor like you said, giving them room to do what they do. I’m not going in expecting anything. I’m not going in wanting to shoot 30 times a game. I’m going to do what’s best for the team, whatever the team needs is what I’m going to do. Can’t wait to get it going.
On the other side of the ball, you registered some pretty impressive steal and block stats for a freshman of that size. What’s your defensive thought process and what brought you success in those departments?
Just fighting. I’m not the fastest, so it’s all fighting and competing. If someone gets by you, competing and getting back in front. No matter what it takes, just never give up on the play, and at the end of the day, you can try and get your hands on the ball as much as you can.
From watching your playmaking, it looks like you think the game in a cerebral way. What’s running through your mind in the half court trying to find the best shot for your teammates or yourself?
A lot of it is just thinking ahead. Trying to think of what the defense is going to do and already knowing what you want to do. Don’t catch it and then think. And just reading how the game is going, knowing how the team you’re playing goes. Whether that’s watching film or getting a feel from the first quarter or half, whatever it is.
Between now and the start of training camp, what other parts of your game do you want to start developing?
Everything. Everything. You gotta work on everything. Get in the gym, build relationships with the guys, build relationships with all the coaches, and build that chemistry for the season. On my side, continue to work every day and become the best player that I can.
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You talked about Fred VanVleet earlier in the evening as someone you can learn from. There are similarities — both undersized guards who can space the floor and create plays.
I can’t wait. He’s a really good player, been in the league a long time. He’s a champion, knows exactly how to play, really smart. Super excited to go in and learn, ask him a bunch of questions and learn from him throughout the season.
Last one from me: Are you prepared for Houston? I mean the culture, the food, the vibe that the city has to offer? It’s different from Kentucky, with all due respect.
I’m excited. I’m excited about the food, and I’m all about Houston. The three days I was there, I had an awesome time.
(Photo of Reed Sheppard with NBA commissioner Adam Silver: Brad Penner / USA Today)