After being drafted with the number three overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, Reed Sheppard’s 2024–25 rookie season with the Houston Rockets was a journey of adaptation and growth, marked by both challenges and flashes of his potential.
Sheppard entered a Rockets team rich in young talent. Throughout the season, he appeared in 52 games, starting in 3, and averaged 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, while shooting with a 35.1 percent field goal mark and a 33.8 percent from deep.
However, Sheppard's lack of counting stats is not his fault. With Houston taking a leap to a higher level competitively and the numerous amount of guards on the roster, Sheppard’s playing time was limited to 12.6 minutes per game, reflecting the team’s depth and competitive rotation.
The Rockets sent Reed down to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to help him gain more experience and confidence. There, he showcased his scoring and playmaking abilities, averaging 30.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from beyond the arc. Reed had a standout performance during his G League debut, which included a 49-point game, signaling his readiness for increased responsibilities.
It became clear that Reed Shepard was too good for the league, but this left Houston in a predicament; they were unable to play Reed, as Houston was sitting at the number two spot in a highly competitive Western Conference. However, Sheppard did get some chances to play, and in his first career start versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, he made history by recording over 25 points, 5 assists, 3 three-pointers, and at least three combined steals and blocks — a first in NBA history for player in their first start.
However, his momentum was halted by a fractured thumb in March, sidelining him for at least four weeks and impacting his late-season contribution. By the time Sheppard’s thumb was healed, the NBA regular season was mostly over, but Sheppard still had three games scoring in double digits at the tail end of the season. (One 15-point game versus the Utah Jazz on April 2, a 20-point game versus the Los Angeles Clippers on April 11, and a 14-point game versus the Los Angeles Lakers on April 13. Additionally, Reed did get some playing time in the round one playoff series versus the Golden State Warriors, but most of these minutes were garbage time, and Sheppard was unable to score in all three games he played in (Game Two, Game Five, and Game Six).
Despite a rookie season with limited NBA minutes, Sheppard’s G League success and glimpses of high-level play suggest a promising future. With continued development and opportunities, he has the potential to become a key contributor for the Rockets in the coming seasons. I expect Sheppard to earn more playing time next season and to eventually take over Aaron Holiday’s role by taking over most of his minutes.