NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Reed Sheppard arrives prior to the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Reed Sheppard Has Rockets Fans Hyped During NBA Draft amid Kevin Durant Trade Rumors

Jack MurrayJun 27, 2024

Reed Sheppard is heading to the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets selected Sheppard with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, adding him to a core that includes Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet.

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Fans took to social media to praise Houston on the selection and hoping he can potentially team up with Kevin Durant in the near future.

Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 33 games for Kentucky in 2023-24. This production came despite him making just five starts for the Wildcats, which shows how he can make an impact off of the bench.

That is the type of player Houston can use as the team is not too far off from contending. It went 41-41 in 2023-24 and finished 11th in the Western Conference. While this extended its playoff drought to four seasons, it was a 19-win improvement from 2022-23 and presents some hope for the future.

With Houston having links to Durant and possessing rights to future Phoenix draft picks, Sheppard could see himself playing alongside some superstar talent as he looks to carve out a role with the Rockets.