Like the Warriors or Lakers, the Houston Rockets made off with a batch of impressive rookies on draft night. Despite their talent, they have questions surrounding their games and development that each rookie needs to answer. Here are the questions that each of the rookies on the Rockets have to answer during the 2024-2025 NBA season.
One Question For Each Houston Rockets Rookie
Reed Sheppard
Question: Can Sheppard immediately embrace a backup point guard role?
The Houston Rockets selected Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Sheppard, as a player, impressed many with his excellent playmaking and amazing shooting ability. Furthermore, Sheppard can be a positive defensively despite his size at six-foot-two. Overall, he is a well-rounded player who plays with a high level of basketball IQ. At Summer League, Sheppard consistently showed out against every opponent and displayed his versatile skill set. He had multiple double-digit scoring games and generally stuffed the stat sheets across the board. His play at Summer League demonstrated that he knows how to play and do so at a high level.
Without a doubt, Sheppard made it clear that he can play, but the question remains on whether or not he can immediately embrace the role of backup point guard. While Sheppard has been impressive, the point guard position is one of the hardest positions for young players to adjust to. For a Rockets team that can realistically make the postseason, is Sheppard ready for an important role? If he is, then the Rockets can rely on Sheppard to provide three-level scoring and playmaking off the bench. He would immediately make an impact and strengthen a Rockets bench that can use the offensive help. While answering that question will be tough, Sheppard should be up to the challenge.
N’Faly Dante
Question: Can Dante improve offensively?
Oregon center N’Faly Dante signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets after going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. As a player, Dante excels in defense and rebounding, utilizing his size and athleticism to achieve success. He didn’t have the best Summer League performance, but he did flash some of the attributes that define him as a player. The rim protection and rebounding of Dante manifested in several games. He didn’t stuff the stat sheet like some of his teammates, but he showed his defensive skill and potential.
However, the real question that Dante must address throughout the coming season is whether or not he can improve his offense game. He doesn’t have a polished or diverse offensive skill set, mostly relying on screen-setting, rolling, or being a lob threat. If Dante could become a better passer or shooter, it would increase his value as a player and earn him more minutes. Especially on the Rockets, adding shooting to his arsenal would make Dante stand out from other Rockets centers and would allow him to be placed in various lineups. Dante must answer this question to take his game to the next level and cement himself in the NBA.
Jack McVeigh
Question: Can McVeigh earn a standard contract?
Australian wing Jack McVeigh signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets. He originally went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft and played overseas in the ensuing years, including on the Australian national team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. McVeigh’s talents lie in his ability to score on all three levels and generally being an impressive three-point shooter. Furthermore, he shoots the ball well at high volume from beyond the arc. McVeigh acquitted himself well at the Olympics, where his patented shooting was on full display.
The 28-year-old wing has the experience and skill set to help the Rockets improve even further as a team. However, the real question for McVeigh is whether or not he can play well enough to earn a standard contract. Given his age, he must produce at a realistically acceptable level to stay in the league. He has no upside as a prospect and will need to make up for that with real production. If he can do that, then he could be a valuable role player due to his aforementioned experience and skill set. Regardless, McVeigh now has his chance to prove that he deserves to be in the NBA.
