The Rockets 21-year-old shooter was repeatedly chased, but Stone refused! He is also a "not-selling product" in Houston

On July 12, today's Rockets' first game in the summer league. Judging from the scenes and personal data, the Rockets' main point guard Shepard performed quite well in this game. Shepard, 21, started high and ended low last season with the Rockets. Although he first entered the rotation lineup, his performance was quite average, and the Rockets did not have time to train Shepard for a long time, so the Rockets still won Shepard off the rotation, allowing veteran Aaron Holiday to become Van Villet's first substitute. So it's basically difficult for Shepard to enter the rotation lineup after the All-Star and win enough playing time.

However, the 21-year-old rookie player has considerable personal talent and potential. The Rockets did not want to rush to give up on him. After all, in the Rockets' months, although Shepard had obvious shortcomings, such as unstable shooting, very weak defense, and his ability to confrontation was completely unavailable, Shepard also said that he would practice defense this summer and increase his ability to confrontation. In the first game of the Summer League, Shepard scored beautiful data in the first half, not only steals, assists, but also blocked shots, but also scored the Rockets' highest score at the time.

Shepard fulfilled his talent in the summer league. I wonder if he has the ability to play in the summer league in the regular season and in the playoffs next season. However, the Rockets are still very confident about Shepard, because in the previous super deals involving seven teams about Durant, the Suns and other teams wanted Shepard to join the deal, but the Rockets refused. According to reports, in Durant's transaction, the Rockets have always regarded Shepard as a non-sale product. Although many teams come to ask for the price and want Shepard, the Rockets are unmoved. Manager Stone has been rejecting such a deal, refusing to add Shepard to the big deal.

In other words, in Durant's transaction, in addition to treating Ethan and Smith Jr. as non-sale items, Shepard is obviously a player that the Rockets do not want to give up. In the end, the Rockets had to use Jaylen Green to play Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 draw, and there were 5 second round picks to complete the transaction. This is what the Rockets think of him.

Although he did not perform well in the first season, the Rockets believe that Shepard's potential has not been fully developed. After all, as the No. 3 pick and as a talented shooter at the University of Kentucky, Shepard is still capable of becoming a super shooter and super point guard, but he still needs more time. Next season, the Rockets will give him more ball rights and tactical status, and even playing time. With the help of veterans such as Durant and Van Vreet, I believe Shepard will be more relaxed when playing ball.

It seems that in addition to Amen Thompson and Alperen Shinkin, two young core players who are not selling products to the Rockets, Ethan and Smith Jr., and even 21-year-old shooter Shepard are players that the Rockets don't want to give up.