HOUSTON — In a virtual press conference outside the Toyota Center war room, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone shared his perspective on Houston’s recent trade with the Brooklyn Nets and its top 2024 draft selection of Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.
Sheppard, a 6-foot-2 guard, shot over 52% on 3-pointers in his lone collegiate season with the Wildcats. He was drafted by Houston at No. 3 overall in Wednesday’s first round, which took place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Meanwhile, in a trade with the host Nets the previous night, Houston acquired four future first-round draft assets from the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks (via Brooklyn) in exchange for a pair of first-round assets in 2025 and 2026.
As part of Wednesday night’s press conference, Stone shared his perspective on the implications of both of those moves and beyond.
Stone and the Rockets also have a pick coming up (at No. 44 overall) in Thursday’s second round of the 2024 NBA draft, which starts at 3:00 p.m. Central. It will be televised on ESPN.
June 26 Rafael Stone press conference
Asked Rafael Stone why the #Rockets took Reed Sheppard over Donovan Clingan:
“We had Sheppard very, very high. Our evaluation was that Reed has a very special skill set that gives him a chance to be special in the NBA that we thought was unique in this draft.”
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 27, 2024
More Stone: “It diversified our portfolio of picks going out, it pushed them out a little bit, which is really good for us. We’re a very young team right now, so pushing those picks out and having some draft picks a little further out, we thinks make sense.” https://t.co/WF8nHzECQQ
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) June 27, 2024
I asked Rafael Stone if there’s a greater emphasis on pick quantity in modern superstar trades and if that played into Houston’s decision to swap two FRP assets for four.
He said there is, but he also likes the quality here. Pointed out that the 4 PHX/DAL assets are unprotected
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 27, 2024
Stone: “He has a special set of skills. His shooting was historically great, and his feel for the game, his passing, his ability to get deflections, and he’s an NBA athlete. He’s not somebody who’s under-athletic.” https://t.co/zUfnTG2FDO
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) June 27, 2024
#Rockets GM Rafael Stone on last night's trade w/ Nets, "It diversified our portfolio of picks, it pushed out some of our future picks." (turning 2 picks/swaps into 4 picks/swap). He acknowledged that their deal allowed the Nets to do the large (Bridges) deal w/ the Knicks.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) June 27, 2024
I asked if Reed Sheppard would spend time in the G League or be in the rotation to start the season.
Rafael Stone said that he doesn’t care where you are drafted when it comes to spending time in the G League but and that the G League is a lot better than playing college ball.…
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) June 27, 2024
Rafael Stone he says Houston's collective length will help Reed defensively
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 27, 2024
He says the IQ and feel from Reed Sheppard is "very real." He says his shot preparation is "truly, astoundingly good."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 27, 2024
Rafael Stone on Reed Sheppard: "At the end of our process, we ended up with Reed as the best player in the draft, by quite a bit."
"He was kind of the only guy that we were really focused on. If he hadn't got to us, we probably would've traded down or out of the draft."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 27, 2024
Rafael Stone said Sheppard was on their radar coming out of HS, but they weren't sure how he would translate to college: "It's very rare that people dominate college basketball as a freshman the same way they dominated high school basketball and AAU basketball, and he did."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) June 27, 2024
