It's almost time for the 2025-26 NBA season as the summer begins to wrap up. The Houston Rockets' upcoming roster looks much different from it did at the end of the previous season, adding the likes of Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela with the hope being that the new-look team will be good enough to challenge for the Larry O'Brien Trophy next spring.
There's still just under two months to go before the regular-season action begins, but that doesn't mean the Rockets aren't already thinking slightly beyond the season opener. Oct. 31 will mark the deadline for teams to pick up players' third- and fourth-year rookie scale options, which means Houston will have a tough decision to make on a recently disappointing draft pick.
Rockets Must Make Tough Reed Sheppard Decision
Former first-round pick Reed Sheppard is about to enter Year 2 of his NBA journey, meaning the Rockets will need to decide if they'll opt into his third-year option before Halloween. The former Kentucky product showcased plenty of potential while playing for the Wildcats, but any flashes of brilliance were few and far between in his rookie campaign.
After being drafted third overall last year, Sheppard failed to perform like a top-three selection. The London, KY native averaged a forgettable 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while playing 12.6 minutes per night across 52 games (3 starts). His playing time in the postseason cratered to just under 10 minutes across three appearances, proving that Rockets head coach Ime Udoka still doesn't fully trust his young guard.
Fast forward to now, when the Rockets have to decide if they're willing to pay Sheppard over $11 million in Year 3. Although he still has plenty of time to reach his ceiling, that's a lot of money for someone averaging less than 5.0 PPG, meaning Houston may try to negotiate a more team-friendly deal next summer if it isn't willing to commit before Oct. 31.
Whether his option is picked up or not, Sheppard must take the next step forward this season. Young players are expected to make mistakes; however, his status as a former top-three pick means he's under the microscope more than his peers. Failing to live up to the hype could see the Rockets look to trade him for a more NBA-ready contributor, but that also might not happen until another year or two down the line.
Regardless, it's clear Sheppard has a lot to prove before he can be considered a mainstay, and starting the 2025-26 season off strong would go a long way to silencing any doubts Rockets fans might have.