Overview

• Fred VanVleet is expected to miss the season after ACL surgery, elevating Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson into primary ball-handling roles.
• Ime Udoka labeled Sheppard one of the team’s more cerebral players and plans to share initiation with Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün.
• After the first practice, Jabari Smith Jr. said Sheppard looks more poised under pressure and that Thompson’s mid-range jumper appears more fluid.
• Sheppard emphasized added strength and a defense-heavy summer program and described his confidence as at an all-time high.
• The starting point guard decision will be made during camp, with an early evaluation coming in the Oct. 6 preseason opener against Atlanta.