The Houston Rockets currently hold the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a 23-12 record, an unusual positional standing to attain after selecting with a top-three pick in the NBA Draft prior to the season.
Houston’s incredible play to this point in the season has led to an accelerated timeline, putting the pressure on their No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Reed Sheppard to immediately contribute to winning as a high-profile rookie.
Through 30 appearances for the Rockets in his debut campaign, Sheppard has compiled averages of 3.3 points and 1.2 assists on a putrid 40.3% effective field goal percentage.
This level of production ultimately led to a demotion, as the 20-year-old point guard was recently sent down to the Rockets’ G-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
“In news that did not come as much of a surprise, the Rockets announced Monday morning that they had assigned rookie guard Reed Sheppard to their NBA G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley,” Forbes’ Rahat Huq wrote Monday afternoon.
“A preseason favorite to win Rookie of the Year honors, Sheppard’s rookie year has not gone as hoped. Thus far this season, Sheppard, averaging 11.6 minutes per game, has struggled to get acclimated, often appearing timid and indecisive with the basketball.”
“The hope was that Sheppard, with his long-distance prowess, could help on that front. He has struggled mightily, as evidenced by his numbers.”
Due to Sheppard’s performance, rumors have surfaced that the surging Rockets could be looking to package the sharpshooting guard in a trade for a star-level floor general in return.
“With the Rockets currently occupying second place in the Western Conference standings, Sheppard’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors.”
“It is no secret that Houston, with its war chest of assets, could look to make a big upgrade at the deadline to fortify its backcourt.”
The Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox has been named as the most likely target for Houston in a deal prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline, with Sheppard’s potential being an attractive asset for the Kings if they plan to give away their superstar point guard.
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