The Detroit Pistons have been trying to figure out their backup point guard situation since Dennis Schroder left in free agency, and currently don’t have a clear-cut answer. Their de facto answer on the depth chart is likely Marcus Sasser, but they may be able to get an upgrade on the trade market. One name to keep in mind is last year’s third overall pick, Reed Sheppard.
Sheppard did not play much in his rookie season, and didn’t look great when he did get in. Over 52 games and 12.6 minutes per game, he averaged just four points a game on 35 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent from three. Sheppard was even relegated to the G-League for a few games but quickly proved he was too good for that level.
Despite his unimpressive stats, Sheppard did still show flashes of his true potential especially later in the season. On March 3rd, in a game where multiple Rockets starters were out with injury, Sheppard got the start against the league-leading Thunder. He would score 25 points efficiently, going 10/17 from the field and 3/7 from three.
Even in games with less opportunity and less production, Sheppard still showed comfort as a scorer and decision maker in all areas of the court. He’s got the potential to be a three-level scorer and decent playmaker down the road. And he uses quick hands to create turnovers and defense, allowing him to stay neutral on that end despite a smaller stature at 6’2”/185lbs.
Reed Sheppard: In Desperate Need of a Change of Scenery
Sheppard was definitely not on the ideal team for his development last season. The Rockets were one of the deepest teams in the league and he was stuck at the guard position behind Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet.
Green is now out of the picture as part of the Kevin Durant trade, but Sheppard might still struggle to find minutes. The starting lineup for next season will likely be VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr, and Alperen Sengun.
Despite all of their depth (some of which was admittedly traded for Durant) the Rockets don’t have a true bonafide scorer coming off their bench. The need for more isolation scoring was obvious last season, and it’s why they got Durant in the first place. But this problem will continue to exist when Durant is on the bench or resting for a game (he is 36 after all).
And that’s where the Pistons can step in and help. Despite all his shortcomings, Marcus Sasser is still capable of elite isolation scoring. His efficiency and per-minute numbers in iso situations last season were actually towards the top of the league and he can thrive on a team that offers him that role in limited minutes. Sasser also had a storied college career at the University of Houston, so a homecoming could be welcomed by player and fans alike.
The Rockets would likely want extra draft compensation as well but, depending on the picks they want, this framework of a trade could be one worth exploring for both sides. Sheppard’s value is unlikely to ever be lower than it is now, so the Pistons should pounce immediately.