Rockets Reportedly Plan Expanded Role for Reed Sheppard in 2025-26

Despite being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, rookie guard Reed Sheppard saw limited playing time during his first season with the playoff-bound Houston Rockets, averaging 4.4 points and 12.6 minutes per game. The Rockets, however, plan to expand Sheppard's role significantly in the 2025-26 season, valuing his floor spacing and high basketball IQ as crucial for improving their halfcourt offense. While Sheppard struggled defensively due to his size and experienced a shooting slump early on, team sources and coaches believe he has a very high ceiling and expect him to progress with added strength and experience. Meanwhile, former NBA guard D.J. Augustin, who retired early in the 2024-25 season, has joined the Rockets in a front office role, bringing 14 seasons of NBA experience to support the team's development. The Rockets' focus on integrating Sheppard more heavily aligns with their recent emphasis on a young core, including Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Fred VanVleet, as they look to build on a strong season where they secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The expanded role for Sheppard is seen as a key to unlocking more offensive potential without major offseason trades, despite concerns about his defensive limitations.