Reed Sheppard’s rookie season in the NBA has yet to go as expected, leading to the decision to send him down to the G League for more playing time.

On Monday, the Houston Rockets announced that they are assigning Sheppard to their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The team has the option to recall him at any time. The Vipers will next take the court on Tuesday night.

Drafted third overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sheppard’s first year with the Rockets has seen limited action. The 6-foot-2 guard has appeared in 30 games, but his role has primarily been off the bench. Averaging just 3.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 11.6 minutes per game, he has struggled with his shooting, connecting on only 32.2 percent of his field goals.

With Sheppard going to the G-League, it could be beneficial for him, as Sheppard currently needs more playing time to develop. Sheppard, a 20-year-old from Kentucky, showed flashes of potential early in the season, earning some trust from head coach Ime Udoka.

However, his role has diminished recently, with Sheppard not logging any minutes in three of the Rockets’ last four games. His sole appearance came during a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics.

With the Rockets sitting second in the Western Conference at 23-12, the team is focused on immediate success. Sheppard is having to share minutes with Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet, both of whom rank among the team’s top scorers. Given the team’s win-now mentality, there is less of a need to prioritize Sheppard’s development through extended minutes.

It is surprising to see Sheppard being sent to the G-League after being a Top 3 pick in the NBA Draft and having success at Kentucky, where he gained strong support from fans in Lexington and beyond. In a different scenario, where the Rockets weren’t focused on competing for the playoffs, Sheppard would likely be playing for a lottery team focused on rebuilding.

The positive takeaway is that Sheppard will likely thrive in the G League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, gaining the minutes he needs to grow.