After a somewhat underwhelming run (at least statistically) for Reed Sheppard at the NBA’s 2025 summer league, many observers wondered if the Houston Rockets might pursue another ball-handling alternative. Until the 21-year-old does it consistently, it’s at least fair to wonder if the second-year guard is ready to play quality rotation minutes for a potential title contender.

Instead, the Rockets awarded what could be their final standard contract (since they’re hard-capped at the first apron) to Josh Okogie, a veteran defensive wing.

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But as the team sees it, even if Sheppard, veteran starter Fred VanVleet, and veteran reserve Aaron Holiday are the only names listed on most depth charts, there is another player who should be considered in that point-guard mix.

From Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle:

The Rockets’ decision to sign another wing, a position at which they already possess considerable depth, rather than a guard, appears to signal confidence in the main ball-handling trio of Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard supplemented by veteran combo guard Aaron Holiday.

In effect, it’s a similar dynamic to last season, albeit with Thompson in place of Jalen Green. While Green technically started at a different position, head coach Ime Udoka essentially staggered the minutes of VanVleet and Green so that at least one was on the court at all times (when both were healthy) to operate as the lead guard.

While Thompson has largely functioned as a forward and in off-ball roles during his first two NBA seasons, it’s worth noting that he was drafted highly — at No. 4 in the 2023 first round — based in part on the idea that he had point-guard potential, as well.

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Now, entering his third season at 22 years old, it could be time for the uber-athletic, 6-foot-7 prodigy to take on more on-ball responsibilities as an initiator for Houston’s offense.

Utilizing Thompson in more of a playmaking and ball-handling capacity could also give Udoka more options for filling out other rotation spots. For example, if a certain matchup calls for more size, Houston could theoretically use a player such as Okogie instead of Sheppard or Holiday.

With that said, the Rockets drafted Sheppard at No. 3 overall in the 2024 first round for a reason. He’ll be given every opportunity to develop and prove worthy of minutes. But in the event that he isn’t — and Houston seemingly decided that he wasn’t last season, as a rookie — the ability to use Thompson as a guard does provide Udoka with significant flexibility.

More: 2025 NBA summer league: Final Houston Rockets statistics in Las Vegas

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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Report: Rockets view Amen Thompson among primary ball-handlers