Sometimes it feels like the media likes to just kick Houston Rockets fans while they’re down, and Tuesday and Wednesday were no different. I was just minding my business, scrolling on Twitter while thinking about how I will manage without Rocket’s basketball till October (depressing, I know), when I saw a tweet going around saying that the Rockets had significant interest in Stephon Castle around the 2024 NBA Draft, but Castle told Houston not to bother.
Now, the 2024 draft was a weird one for Houston since, despite having a 41-41 record the season before, Houston was able to receive the third pick in the draft. Everyone wondered what player Houston would take with the pick since Stephon Castle, Reed Sheppard, and Donovan Clingan were all mentioned. However, there was a wrinkle in Houston’s potential plan, as there had been rumors that Castle had no interest in joining some teams, particularly those with a point guard. This meant the Rockets, who had signed Fred Vanvleet to a contract the previous summer, would likely be out of the running since it was clear Castle wanted a starting role, or did he?
Well, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, it all turned out to be a smokescreen and conspiracy to get to Castle’s preferred destination, the San Antonio Spurs.
“At the time, there were reports that Castle’s choice not to conduct private workouts with several teams was driven by his desire to avoid teams that already had an established starting point guard
One of those teams was the Houston Rockets, who ultimately took Reed Sheppard out of Kentucky with the third pick. Per league sources, Rockets coach and former Spurs assistant Ime Udoka was a huge fan of Castle’s (which Castle said he was well aware of). But with veteran Fred VanVleet manning the point guard position and young Jalen Green at the two-guard spot, Castle and his camp sent the kinds of signals Houston’s way that eventually led to him landing in San Antonio. Just as he’d hoped,“
It would have been intriguing to watch the fit with Amen Thompson. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that the Rockets, who finished 23rd in outside shooting, had a significant shooting deficiency in the season leading up to that draft. However, it’s also important to note that, after what was essentially a redshirt rookie season last year, Sheppard was considered for the Sixth Man of the Year award, finishing with some votes. Therefore, the Rockets did not make a poor decision. Houston needed shooting, and that’s what Reed gave them. You can be upset about how the draft worked out without holding it against Sheppard, who has a bright future ahead.
Having stated all of that, what are your thoughts? How do you feel about this all coming out nearly two years after the 2024 draft? Do you blame Stephon Castle for going about this how he did? Let us know, and as always go Rockets.
