Rockets general manager Stone likes Shepard and thinks he can cash in on his talent in the NBA. However, Udoka, who is eager to produce results, trusts the veteran more and is not comfortable with a rookie like Shepard.
Some Houston media have predicted that Shepard will not average more than 20 minutes per game in his rookie season. Udoka prefers to use experienced players.
Houston Fagan suggested before the draft that the Rockets would consider re-signing Aaron Holiday to a contract. At that time, some Rockets fans said: If Shepard is chosen, there is no need to keep Aaron Holiday anymore.
Theoretically, Shepard could take Aaron Holiday and there is no need for the latter to stay. Houston reporter Kelly Eco is bullish on Shepard, who said before the draft that Aaron Holiday would most likely leave.
While Rockets general manager Stone brought in two shooters, Shepard and AJ Griffin, Udoka didn't think it was enough.
It was previously reported that Udoka wanted Durant, but Stone thought he was older. Udoka wanted to sign Aaron Holiday plus an insurance policy, and Stone decided to fulfill his request.
With the addition of Shepard, who is about to be signed, the Rockets' official contract reaches 14, and there is one spot left to sign Aaron Holiday.
Shams revealed that Aaron Holiday has signed a two-year contract with the Rockets. Houston reporter Kelly Eco broke the news that the Rockets used a two-year exception, with a team option for the second year.
According to data provided by HoopHype, Aaron Holiday will earn $4.67 million per year next season and $4.9 million in his final year (no guarantee).
Because Aaron Holiday has no shortage of next home, if the Rockets only give him a base salary, he probably won't agree.
Previously, an NBA reporter broke the news that the Suns were interested in signing Aaron Holiday with a veteran's base salary.
Holiday played as a backup point guard for the Suns, averaging 6.8 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 44.4 percent from three-point range. Because the trade got the Suns' future first-round pick and swap rights, Stone didn't want to see the Suns reinforce, so he added money to keep Holiday and his contract could also be used to make a trade.
With the signing of Holiday and the addition of Jeff Green ($8 million), Tate ($7.57 million) and Landale ($8 million), Rockets general manager Stone has $28.24 million in trade chips.
Previously, some American media said that Jeff Green, Tate and Landale will be reduced to trade chips next season, and they are not in the Rockets' long-term plans.
Shepard is in the long-term plans of Rockets general manager Stone, but he faces stiff competition. Udoka isn't a good old man like Silas, and he's pretty strict with rookies. If it weren't for injuries and Tate's terrible shooting last season, Whitmore would likely have been on the bench for most of the time.
Udoka should be watching this year's Summer League live, and Shepard will have to work hard to impress the manager.
Udoka likes Nate Hint's aggressive defense, and he'll play for the Rockets in Summer League.
Nate Hint, a 1.96-meter-tall former University of Houston swingman who signed a two-way contract with the Rockets last season, has now expired.
Houston reporter Kelly Eco previously said the Rockets would not make a qualifying offer to Nate Hinton and that he would become a free agent.
According to recent revelations from Kelly Iko, the Rockets and free agent Nate Hinton have agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract that will represent the Rockets in Summer League. If Hinton can make a standout, he has a chance to get a two-way contract from the Rockets.