Despite missing out on the NBA Playoffs in 2024, the Houston Rockets had a significant improvement over their 2022–2023 season.
They only managed 22 victories that season. With 41 wins this season, they have almost doubled that total. According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, the Rockets should select Kentucky Wildcats player Reed Sheppard with their third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft (via the Brooklyn Nets) in order to maintain momentum and continue to develop for the future.
Sheppard might provide the Houston Rockets with a nice scoring boost from the backcourt. He has been compared to former Villanova Wildcats and New York Knicks shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo. Sheppard averaged 12.5 points in a single season in Lexington, shooting 52.1 percent from beyond the arc and 53.6 percent from the field. Sheppard, who can be effective defensively as well, has amazing shooting splits. During his time with the Wildcats, he averaged 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
