The Houston Rockets have seemingly everything figured out, but they could still use a breakout year from one of their young players.
Next season should be an exciting one in Houston. After winning 52 games and finishing second in the tough Western Conference last season, the Rockets made the deal of the summer, acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns.
With high expectations going into next season, the Rockets know what they have in most areas. However, there is still one player who has yet to prove he belongs in the rotation, and he needs to begin stepping up next season.
Rockets fans expect a better second season from Reed Sheppard
In The Athletic’s recent fan survey, Kelly Iko asked Rockets fans which young player they think needs to take the biggest leap next season. While Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. got their fair share of votes, Reed Sheppard was the overwhelming pick, earning 49.6% of the vote.
In 2024, the Rockets used their pick from the Brooklyn Nets to take Sheppard with the No. 3 pick in the draft. A sharpshooter out of Kentucky, Sheppard didn’t exactly break through in his rookie year.
Struggling to crack Ime Udoka’s rotation and being a complete afterthought in the team’s first-round loss to the Golden State Warriors, Sheppard will enter his second season with something to prove. If he can make strides and give the Rockets some of the shooting they were missing last season, Sheppard should quickly emerge as a solid piece moving forward.
However, if Sheppard can’t meet the expectations of the Rockets and their fans, he might be heading for a new team by next offseason.