Rockets Rumors: Reed Sheppard Drawing 'Serious Interest' with No. 3 NBA Draft Pick

The Houston Rockets "have demonstrated serious interest" in Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, according to ESPN's Jeremy Woo.

Woo reported Houston's front office and ownership are "intrigued by his fit as a shooter and playmaker next to their established young talent."

Sheppard averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists in his lone season with the Wildcats, and he was a dead-eye shooter from deep, hitting 52.1 percent of his attempts.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman compared him to the New York Knicks' Donte DiVincenzo and former Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich.

"At best, he demonstrates enough burst and shiftiness to blow by or separate, turning into more of a lead guard," Wasserman wrote in his scouting report. "Sheppard isn't an explosive athlete, but he can surprise defenders with a quick first move or decent elevation on pull-up jumpers. Offense can run through his high skill level as a playmaker and shotmaker, along with his basketball IQ."

Sheppard was also projected to land with the Rockets in Wasserman's most recent mock draft, in part because he'd be a great fit for Houston's roster.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported last week the Rockets are willing to deal their first-round pick "for a player who can help the franchise win now."

That makes sense given how the organization approached last season. Hiring Ime Udoka as head coach and signing guard Fred VanVleet to a $128.5 million contract was a way to accelerate what had been a listless rebuild to that point. The strategy paid off as Houston went from a 22-win team to finishing .500.

Utilizing the No. 3 overall selection into experienced ready-made talent would better help the Rockets achieve their short-term ambitions.

This isn't a good year to be a seller in the draft, though. The lack of a standout prospect in the 2024 class means even the teams with a top-five pick might find few worthwhile trade offers.

In the event Houston keeps its pick, Sheppard would be an ideal target.