Houston Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard debuts against Tidjane Salaun, Hornets
The Houston Rockets are trying to complete their rebuild. Even in an extremely competitive Western Conference, the Rockets, after signing veterans like Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet last season, have also signed Steven Adams over the course of the 2023-24 season. Houston will combine these veterans with its existing young core of Alprene Sengun, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Jarbari Smith, Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason.
A year ago, the Rockets made a huge jump in their win total, going from 22 to 41 and finishing the season with a .500-point record.
At the 2024 NBA Draft, the Rockets further strengthened their roster and signed Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard as the No. 4 pick. After an outstanding Summer League, Sheppard is expected to revamp the Rockets’ offense and get the team over the hump in the West.
His expected debut will be on October 23 against the Charolette Hornets, who also debut Tidjane Salaun, the No. 6 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. From a draft perspective, this will be a must-watch matchup to also see second-year Brandon Miller against this Rockets core.
Houston has a lot of promising talent and players to balance in its rotation, and this gives us our first glimpse of what the pecking order might look like for the Rockets.
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