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The new and old alternate? Rockets new plan: Rookies will be reused next season, Holiday may become the third point guard

12:50am, 5 June 2025【Basketball】

The Rockets have a total of 4 players in the point guard position this season. Van Vreet is the main point guard of the Rockets. His position cannot be broken. As long as Van Vreet is healthy, Uduka will always put him in the starting point guard position.

The second point guard position was always held by Amen Thompson in the first half of the season. But with Smith Jr. missing for a month due to injury, Rockets coach Uduka once again placed him in the starting power forward position, so the Rockets' second point guard changed from Amen Thompson to veteran Aaron Holiday. Aaron Holiday, 28, has shot 38% from three-point shooting this season and is one of the team's best shooters on the outside.

Allon Holiday has been a substitute since joining the Rockets for two seasons, but his performance is indeed good, his three-point shooting is very accurate, and he can hold the ball and defend. His annual salary of 5 million is not expensive at all.

Rockets' fourth point guard is 20-year-old Tanhua Show Shepard. But it is very unfortunate that Shepard can occasionally enter the rotation lineup before the All-Star, but after the All-Star, he has basically redirected the rotation lineup. Uduka gave Shepard more opportunities, but Shepard was not ready, and his physical fitness was not suitable for the NBA confrontation. Although he can also shoot three-pointers and pass good balls in the game, he is not prepared for the strong confrontation in the NBA. It can be said that Shepard's performance as a Tanhua show this season was unqualified. In the end, he missed the Best Rookie and was not even selected for two best rookie teams.

Shepard disappointed everyone, but this point guard who claims to be the Rockets' new Curry has indeed shown certain talent and potential this season. If the Rockets can give him more opportunities to play next season, I believe Shepard will not disappoint everyone. So, what is the Rockets' point guard plan next season?

According to the Rockets' team reporter Kelly Ike, Shepard will play a more important role next season because the Rockets management highly recognizes Shepard's space ability and basketball IQ. For the Rockets, Shepard is a very important player for the Rockets, who have poor offense in the field, Shepard is a very important player. Insiders believe that Shepard has high potential and hope that he can quickly realize his talent and realize his potential.

Next season, Shepard is expected to occupy the playing time of veteran Aaron Holiday, and he will become the Rockets' second point guard. Apart from Van Vritte, Shepard, who has been unreused this season, may become Van Vritte's first substitute next season, and will play about 15 minutes per game.

And Holiday will not just leave the team. The Rockets still want to keep Holiday and let him continue to serve as the Rockets' substitute guard. If someone is injured and absent, Holiday can still use his defense and three-pointers to help the Rockets win. So, the Rockets' initial plan next season is to replace shooter Aaron Holiday with 20-year-old Shepard at the No. 1 position, and he may become Van Vreet's first substitute.

Of course, Amen Thompson is definitely the most suitable second point guard candidate, but next season he firmly occupies the starting power forward and should not be a point guard for a long time. At this time, Shepard, who can pass, shoot, and have a strong ball dealer, is expected to become the Rockets' surprise.