It is well known that the Houston Rockets have recently been facing a shortage of players. First, Amen Thompson was suspended for two games, but fortunately he has officially returned and put on an All-Star level performance in the game against the Lakers. Additionally, the injury wave has affected the completeness of the Rockets' lineup. Besides Adams, who has been playing intermittently, the team's power forward Tari Eason has been out due to injury for nearly 10 games. Although Eason is questionable for upcoming games, the Rockets have announced that he can only play with a small probability, with a chance of only 25%.
The other starting power forward, Jabari Smith Jr., also suffered a hand fracture during training and will need to rest for 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, the power forward position will have to be filled by Amen Thompson, Whitmore, and Tate. With the absence of two key forwards, the Rockets are undoubtedly facing significant challenges in their lineup arrangements, which is one of the main reasons for their recent record of fewer wins and more losses.
However, the Rockets seem unconcerned as they have announced the demotion of their 20-year-old rookie, Shepherd, to the G League's Vipers. This marks the fourth player the Rockets have sent to the Vipers this season. Previously, the team's forward McKew, guard Jonathan Williams, and undrafted center Dante were all demoted to the G League, where they rarely return to play significant roles for the Rockets' first team. Now, the Rockets have demoted their fourth player, this year's third pick, Shepherd.
For Shepherd, his average statistics this season of 3+1+1 are certainly not satisfactory to fans and the coaching staff. However, Shepherd at least possesses top-notch shooting ability and a high basketball IQ. In the strong lineup of the Rockets, it is indeed difficult for Shepherd to showcase his talents and specialties. Being demoted to the G League provides him with an excellent opportunity for training. It does not mean that being sent to the G League Vipers is a complete abandonment; rather, Shepherd may find confidence there and still have the opportunity to return to the Rockets and even rejoin the rotation lineup, just like in the previous 30-plus games.
With four players demoted to the G League and two forwards injured and absent, the Rockets' 17-man roster has suddenly been reduced to only 11 players available for Udoka to dispatch. The Rockets are once again short-staffed, and if more players get injured, the team's available manpower will truly be insufficient.
Therefore, it is now time for the Rockets' general manager, Rafael Stone, to take action. Since the Rockets previously retained an open spot for a formal contract player, with so many players injured and demoted to the G League, the team urgently needs to sign a player to strengthen the lineup. At this point, that reserved player slot should finally come into play.