Kentucky teammates Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard were both lottery picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. With Sheppard being drafted No. 3 overall by the Houston Rockets and Dillingham being selected No. 8 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both are smaller guards with a knack for shooting; granted, they play slightly differently.
Dillingham is a dynamic playmaker with shifty handles and gifted shot creation abilities. Sheppard is a high-IQ connective playmaker, capable of playing on or off the ball with impressive defense for his size. Regardless, neither young guard played much as a rookie on competitive teams and are in nearly identical situations heading into their second season.
In 49 games, Dillingham averaged 10.9 minutes, 4.5 points, 2 assists, and a rebound with 44.1/33.8/53.3 shooting splits. Similarly, Sheppard appeared in 52 games, averaging 12.6 minutes, 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists with 35.1/33.8/81.3 shooting splits. Despite limited minutes, both players showcased their upside at times, with Dillingham notching 10-plus points eight times and Sheppard notching 10-plus points six times.
Dillingham and Sheppard are poised for bigger roles
It’s widely expected that their rookie seasons were mainly a development year and that both guards will play a more significant role this upcoming season. In addition to being on two of the best teams in the Western Conference, both teams lack point guard depth. Dillingham and Mike Conley are the only two point guards on the Wolves roster. Sheppard, Fred VanVleet, Aaron Holiday, and JD Davison (two-way contract) make up Houston’s point guard crew.
With Conley turning 38 before the season starts and showing signs of offensive decline, Dillingham’s path to minutes is clear. Furthermore, the Wolves need more perimeter shot creation and playmaking. Conversely, VanVleet is still playing at a high level and led the Rockets with 35.2 minutes this past season. Still, VanVleet’s minutes could be slightly reduced, opening up opportunities for Sheppard.
While Dillingham’s path to minutes is clearer, Sheppard could be a safer option given his superior decision-making. Dillingham is a dynamic playmaker but can be a bit turnover-prone, and his defense is worse than Sheppard’s. Nevertheless, it could be argued that Dillingham has a higher upside both immediately and in the long term, given his incredible shot creation abilities.
Considering both what teams invested in Dillingham and Sheppard, both guards are primed for a bigger role in their second season. Additionally, both teams have a possible opening in their rotation. While it’s hard to balance being competitive and developing young talent, it’s necessary in the modern era of basketball, especially with players this skilled.