Over the past few days, Sheppard has become a teacher and leader for a collection of players desperate to crack the end of a tight Rockets rotation. It’s an unusual scene considering Sheppard’s typical reticent nature. But it’s part of an offseason aim to make Sheppard more of a prominent figure and a star in his role.

In an offseason packed with transactions—most notably a blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and a raft of draft capital—Reed Sheppard is one of the beneficiaries of that deal.

When Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone was asked about second-year guard Reed Sheppard, his message was simple. It looks like he'll be getting way mo