Rockets Guard Reed Sheppard Emerges as Sixth Man of the Year Candidate

ESPN's expert panel lists Reed Sheppard fourth among early Sixth Man of the Year contenders. With Fred VanVleet healthy again, Sheppard can return to a shooting guard role and play off the ball, a position that suits his skills. He connected on nearly 40 percent of his three-point attempts last season while averaging seven tries per game.

Sheppard's shooting efficiency stands out — nearly 40 percent from three-point range on seven attempts per game. That combination of volume and accuracy makes him a rare bench weapon. The Rockets' roster is built around defense, size, and athleticism, leaving a clear gap for shooting that Sheppard fills immediately when he checks in.

VanVleet's ACL injury forced Sheppard into primary ball-handling duties last season, which aided his development but didn't maximize his strengths. With VanVleet healthy, Sheppard returns to an off-ball role, running around screens and spotting up. ESPN's Vincent Goodwill similarly noted this positional shift benefits Sheppard's scoring freedom, and the article argues that less responsibility could trigger a breakout season.