The Houston Rockets were rumored to use the 2024 NBA draft as a springboard to acquire a veteran star in recent days. General manager Rafael Stone and Co. ultimately stayed the course with the No. 3 pick Wednesday night.
Houston selected Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 pick, creating a "Core 7" of sorts after adding a pair of first-round picks in each of the last three offseasons. Sheppard, unlike former top-three picks Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., isn't guaranteed a spot in coach Ime Udoka's opening-night rotation.