The Houston Rockets landed Kentucky Guard Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick on the first night of the NBA 2024 draft.
After numerous speculations that Houston could take Connecticut big man Donovan Clingan, they went with Sheppard.
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 distance during his freshman season at Kentucky.
Houston only had the pick which was initially supposed to be ninth as a result of the 2021 blockbuster trade which sent James Harden to Brooklyn.
The Rockets swapped future duties owed by Brooklyn in 2026 and 2027 on Tuesday night as part of a larger trade that brought back swaps and picks into the future from the Phoenix Suns.
Sheppard might not necessarily be thrown into the starting team in Rocket’s rotation, but he could serve as a replacement for guard Aaron Holiday.
Sheppard joins a crowded Rockets backcourt that features veteran guard Fred VanVleet and fourth-year shooting guard Jalen Green, now eligible for a contract extension.
Veteran guard VanVleet, signed to a three-year, $128.54 million last offseason has a club option on his contract in 2025-2026 when he will be owed $44.89 million. However, if Sheppard impresses, the Rockets may decide to part ways with VanVleet.
He will also be under contract for four full seasons upon signing his rookie scale contract.
