The Houston Rockets have been linked to [many guards this year.](https://spacecityscoop.com/rockets-must-avoid-trae-young-temptation-as-trade-speculation-begins-to-mount-again) With the way Reed Sheppard is playing, it's starting to feel like they ought to avoid all of them.
Sheppard is now averaging 13.9 points and 3.4 assists per game. That's 20.6 points and 4.9 assists per 75 possessions, up from 12.8 and 4.2 per 75 last season. Most impressive, his Box Plus/Minus (BPM) has skyrocketed from -1.7 to 7.3. If he made the same leap again in his third year, he'd be an All-Star.
Why would you replace a guy like that?
Rockets should hang onto Reed Sheppard
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What's more, the Rockets' 122.3 Offensive Rating is second in the NBA, behind only the Nuggets (123.9). Sheppard is a big part of that.
Alperen Sengun is [the team's offensive engine.](https://spacecityscoop.com/rockets-alperen-sengun-is-playing-with-a-perfect-mindset) His shooting leap has been tremendous, but he prefers to do his damage inside the paint when he can. Surrounding him with elite shooters optimizes his offensive ability.
Sheppard is connecting on 45.1% of his 6.0 threes per game. He's hitting 46.4% of his pull-up threes and 47.5% of his catch-and-shoot opportunities. This is one of the best, most versatile shooters in the NBA. Sheppard has value on and off the ball:
Unlike some of the trade targets the Rockets have been linked to.
Rockets shouldn't overhaul an elite offense
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Trae Young? Please. Ja Morant? I'm begging you. LaMelo Ball?
...Still pass.
All of these players are heliocentric hubs who need the ball to impact the game. Giving them the ball means taking it away from Sengun, which means moving away from what's been working perfectly well all year.
Where's the logic?
Perhaps the Rockets could acquire a guard this season. Still, if they're looking to replace someone in the rotation, it ought to be Aaron Holiday. Yet, even that's a dubious notion - Holiday has played perfectly well in his role in 2025-26.
Still, he could be upgraded - but Sheppard realistically could not. That's not to say he's the best point guard in the NBA, but there's no young point guard on a rookie contract who would suit what the Rockets do as well as Sheppard. They should be viewing him as a cornerstone, and any trade for a star guard would compromise his status.
Sometimes, the best move is no move at all.