Skip to main content
KSRKSR Plus
KSBoard
Kentucky
Join KSR+

Reed Sheppard on being untouchable in the Durant trade and who's the better shooter

Drew Franklinby: Drew Franklin07/11/25DrewFranklinKSR
reed-summer-league

Before Rob Dillingham and Antonio Reeves faced off in the opening game of the Las Vegas Summer League on Thursday afternoon, their old Kentucky teammate, Reed Sheppard, joined ESPN’s pregame set for an interview. Sheppard, who was at the Thomas & Mack Center to support his fellow Wildcats, made his first nationally televised appearance since his Houston Rockets were a part of the NBA’s trade of the summer, adding Kevin Durant to next season’s roster and championship aspirations.

On Thursday, Sheppard was asked if he was still considered Houston’s best shooter now that Durant is a Rocket. Sheppard surrendered the title to the future Hall of Famer, saying, “No, I gotta prove it a little bit first. He’s proved it for a while.”

He added, “It’ll be fun to have some shooting competition with him, though.”

“Untouchable”

Apr 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) moves the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

There were reports around the Durant trade that Sheppard was untouchable in the deal with Phoenix. Houston is all in on Sheppard in its backcourt, so he was off-limits in any trade negotiations this summer.

Sheppard told Shams Charania that he never had that conversation with the Rockets about being untouchable. Still, he admitted he’s aware of his situation going into his second season. “Hearing some of that stuff is it’s pretty cool. It gives me a lot of confidence.”

Defense has been a priority this summer as Sheppard trains to take on a new role. He said he had a two- or three-week stretch of working out without a basketball, focusing only on defense. He also prioritized his strength and physicality.

On Friday, Sheppard’s second run in the summer league begins on the second night in Las Vegas, where he was the star as a rookie last summer. Catch him on NBATV Friday night at 10 p.m., among the many other games with former Wildcats.

Las Vegas Summer League Schedule

Thursday, July 10

TIME (ET)HOMEAWAYTV/STREAMING
3:30 PMNew Orleans Pelicans (Antonio Reeves, Keion Brooks)Minnesota Timberwolves (Rob Dillingham)ESPN2, ESPN+
5:00 PMCleveland Cavaliers (Jaxson Robinson)Indiana PacersNBATV, ESPN+
9:30 PMDenver NuggetsMilwaukee Bucks (Chris Livingston)NBATV, ESPN+
10:00 PMSan Antonio SpursPhiladelphia 76ers (Justin Edwards)ESPN, ESPN+

Friday, July 11

TIME (ET)HOMEAWAYTV/STREAMING
4:00 PMMemphis GrizzliesBoston Celtics (Amari Williams)NBATV, ESPN+
4:30 PMAtlanta Hawks (Lamont Butler, Jacob Toppin)Miami HeatESPN2, ESPN+
6:00 PMDetroit PistonsNew York Knicks (Lance Ware)NBA TV, ESPN+
9:00 PMWashington WizardsPhoenix Suns (Koby Brea)ESPN, ESPN+
10:00 PMLA ClippersHouston Rockets (Reed Sheppard)NBATV, ESPN+
11:00 PMPortland Trail Blazers (Andrew Carr)Golden State WarriorsESPN2, ESPN+

Saturday, July 12

TIME (ET)HOMEAWAYTV/STREAMING
3:30 PMCleveland Cavaliers (Jaxson Robinson)Milwaukee Bucks (Chris Livingston)NBATV, ESPN+
6:30 PMCharlotte HornetsPhiladelphia 76ers (Justin Edwards)ESPN2, ESPN+
8:30 PMLos Angeles LakersNew Orleans Pelicans (Antonio Reeves, Keion Brooks)ESPN2, ESPN+
10:00 PMMinnesota Timberwolves (Rob Dillingham)Denver NuggetsNBATV, ESPN+
10:30 PMMemphis GrizzliesPortland Trail Blazers (Andrew Carr)ESPN2, ESPN+

Sunday, July 13

TIME (ET)HOMEAWAYTV/STREAMING
3:30 PMPhoenix Suns (Koby Brea)Atlanta Hawks (Lamont Butler, Jacob Toppin)NBATV, ESPN+
4:00 PMDetroit PistonsHouston Rockets (Reed Sheppard)ESPN2, ESPN+
5:30 PMNew York Knicks (Lance Ware)Boston Celtics (Amari Williams)NBATV, ESPN+
7:30 PMMiami HeatCleveland Cavaliers (Jaxson Robinson)NBATV, ESPN+
9:30 PMMilwaukee Bucks (Chris Livingston)LA ClippersNBATV, ESPN+

Monday, July 14

TIME (ET)HOMEAWAYTV/STREAMING
4:30 PMAtlanta Hawks (Lamont Butler, Jacob Toppin)Houston Rockets (Reed Sheppard)NBATV, ESPN+
8:00 PMBoston Celtics (Amari Williams)Miami HeatESPNU, ESPN+
10:00 PMPhoenix Suns (Koby Brea)Sacramento KingsESPNU, ESPN+

Tuesday, July 15

TIME (ET)HOMEAWAYTV/STREAMING
4:30 PMMinnesota Timberwolves (Rob Dillingham)Detroit PistonsESPN2, ESPN+
6:00 PMNew York Knicks (Lance Ware)Brooklyn NetsESPN2, ESPN+
8:30 PMPhiladelphia 76ers (Justin Edwards)Washington WizardsNBATV, ESPN+
10:00 PMPortland Trail Blazers (Andrew Carr)Memphis GrizzliesNBATV, ESPN+

Wednesday, July 16

TIME (ET)HOMEAWAYTV/STREAMING
3:30 PMSacramento KingsCleveland Cavaliers (Jaxson Robinson)ESPN2, ESPN+
5:00 PMPhoenix Suns (Koby Brea)Minnesota Timberwolves (Rob Dillingham)NBATV, ESPN+
5:30 PMMilwaukee Bucks (Chris Livingston)Chicago BullsESPN2, ESPN+
8:00 PMDallas MavericksPhiladelphia 76ers (Justin Edwards)ESPN, ESPN+
9:30 PMNew Orleans Pelicans (Antonio Reeves, Keion Brooks)OKC ThunderNBATV, ESPN+

Thursday, July 17

TIME (ET)HOMEAWAYTV/STREAMING
4:30 PMIndiana PacersNew York Knicks (Lance Ware)ESPN2, ESPN+
6:00 PMAtlanta Hawks (Lamont Butler, Jacob Toppin)Memphis GrizzliesNBATV, ESPN+
8:00 PMHouston Rockets (Reed Sheppard)Portland Trail Blazers (Andrew Carr)NBATV, ESPN+
9:00 PMBoston Celtics (Amari Williams)Los Angeles LakersESPN, ESPN+

Kentucky players in the 2025 NBA Summer League

PlayerTeamNumber
Amari WilliamsBoston Celtics77
Andrew CarrPortland Trailblazers64
Antonio ReevesNew Orleans Pelicans12
Chris LivingstonPhiladelphia 76ers7
Jacob ToppinAtlanta Hawks00
Jaxson RobinsonCleveland Cavaliers14
Justin EdwardsPhildadelphia 76ers19
Keion BrooksNew Orleans Pelicans11
Koby BreaPhoenix Suns14
Lamont ButlerAtlanta Hawks31
Lance WareNew York Knicks45
Reed SheppardHouston Rockets15
Rob DillinghamMinnesota Timberwolves4

Discuss This Article

Comments have moved.

Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.

KSBoard

2025-08-01