I can’t say that conclusively. Topic and Sarr look better in the long-run. Sheppard is the most likely to earn minutes early in his career, because of his elite shooting skill.
None of which makes sense for the Rockets. Castle saying he won’t work out for a team with a starting Pg is a huge red flag for me. I want no Divas on this team.
To your point, this could easily be a draft where there's an Anthony Bennet/Hasheem Thabeet level bust in the top 3, and while I may not agree with you about his level of upside--I don't think that's really a risk with Sheppard. In a league that values shooting, he is going to be an NBA rotation player, I'm more confident about that than with any other player in this class.
I do agree with your point. He has the highest floor of any player in this draft and maybe in a draft like this that’s what you look for if you can’t move the pick.
Two weeks since the lottery… Sheppard: 41% Everyone else: 39% Trade the pick: 20% Reed Sheppard | 220 vote(s) 40.8% Trade the pick | 108 vote(s) 20.0% Nikola Topić | 51 vote(s) 9.5% Donovan Clingan | 51 vote(s) 9.5% Zaccharie Risacher | 44 vote(s) 8.2% Rob Dillingham | 26 vote(s) 4.8% Zach Edey | 16 vote(s) 3.0% Matas Buzelis | 13 vote(s) 2.4% Stephon Castle | 7 vote(s) 1.3% Dalton Knecht | 3 vote(s) 0.6% I don’t think they will trade the pick, so I wonder who those voters would vote for. I think we can safely rule out Edey and Knecht (Probably Dillingham too? but I suppose it’s not zero) ______________________ I think I’ve settled on Risacher or Sheppard. Just don’t let either one fall to the Spurs. Give me one of those top 3. Anyone else, we riot. Risacher Sheppard … Topic … Probably better selections at 9 and not in consideration at 3 but I don’t know, I’m intrigued. ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯ Knecht (I know, he’s 40 years old, not much upside left, safe, boring) C.Williams D.Carter … Explain? Clingan Buzelis Salaun Dillingham Castle Holland
For #3 Pick, the Rockets try to find and Project a All Star. Last Year PG Amen Thompson 6'7. SF Cam Whitmore 6'7. Tall, Athletic, Quick. Tidjane Salaun 18.8 years old, 6'9, Tall Athletic, Big Dunker, Quick, Long Wingspan, Could become Taller, and become a Center. https://www.si.com/nba/draft/prospect-profiles/nba-draft-scouting-report-frances-tidjane-salaun
I can’t believe all this fear of Wemby on this board. He led his team to 20 wins. Sengun absolutely schooled him. He is pencil thin without a chance in hell of gaining enough weight to be a low post player. He has to develop a knock down 3 pointer to even get close to being a star. I don’t care if he averages the most blocks in NBA history he is going to get dominated down low. Honestly, I think Chet is much more of a problem. Wemby has been overhyped. Sheppard has a really high floor, because he can shoot, but he is being dramatically overhyped as well. I don’t think there is anybody in this draft that will be available at 3 that we will ever have deep regret over not drafting.
He is a 6'1" combo guard. We will be playing with a point center so we do not need a true 100% point guard. A combo guard is actually a perfect fit. We need a player who can hit open shots and Reed Sheppard is the best outside shooter to come out of the NCAA in a long time and possibly the best ever. Another point is he may be taller than 6'1". https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/5/2...ured a little bigger,in Los Angeles this week.
Spurs I think will pass on Reed Sheppard and get European Players. SG Devin Cassell, Keldon Johnson Nikola Topic fits their need. 6'6 Point Guard, Josh Giddey Type.
I would take your player evaluation skills more seriously if you weren't still pushing Jalen Green who has objectively been a bust. GIving a team with Wemby a guard like Sheppard would be something that would haunt the Rockets for years.
