Amen Thompson is on a constructive trajectory, as he might change into the Houston Rockets’ subsequent star. Many individuals see his potential, together with former NBA champion Iman Shumpert, who’s a giant Thompson fan.
The Houston Rockets will probably be some of the thrilling groups of the 2025-26 season. Getting Kevin Durant in a blockbuster commerce is the headline story. Nevertheless, individuals must also acknowledge the rise of their younger gamers, together with Amen Thompson.
The fourth choose of the 2023 Draft, Thompson has change into one of many league’s most promising gamers. He’s arguably essentially the most spectacular athlete within the league with sky-high potential.
Combining his attributes with these of Durant and Alperen Sengun, the Rockets have a possible celebrity on their palms. Shumpert thinks Thompson is barely scratching the floor of his potential. He’s already one of many league’s finest defenders, however he might change into much more sooner or later.
In his first two years, Thompson has confirmed he is among the league’s most athletic gamers. That has translated nicely into the league, as he has been an elite defender from the leap. Offensively, he’s at his finest as a transition menace and a cutter.
Thompson is aware of his function, however he has expanded on his recreation within the 2024-25 season. He’ll most likely hold taking part in that function, as an elite defender and cutter within the present system.
With Durant because the star participant, many of the consideration will probably be on him. This leaves alternatives for different gamers to shine, reminiscent of Thompson along with his cuts.
The 22-year-old has all of the potential on this planet, particularly along with his bodily attributes and the proper angle. That’s what Shumpert is happy about, as he feels Thompson has the uncooked attributes like Andrew Wiggins.
“I believe that he jogs my memory a lot of the items that I noticed Andrew Wiggins had, the place it’s such as you don’t even know why you’re that good but,” Shumpert mentioned on NBA Immediately.
The scary factor is he has that imply streak, and he has that grit, like I’ll die on the canvas. I didn’t see that in Wiggins, and it’s no knock to Drew. Totally different caliber of that canine power, I’m excited to see subsequent to Kevin Durant.”
Forward of the 2025-26 season, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are the favorites to win the championship once more. Nevertheless, they’ve a goal on their backs now, so different groups might have shocking campaigns.
The Rockets are amongst these groups, as they’ve all of the instruments to have one other robust season. They had been the distant second seed behind the Thunder within the 2024-25 marketing campaign, however they wish to shut the hole. Durant could possibly be the chief, however Thompson having one other breakout marketing campaign might contribute to that.
With Ime Udoka because the Rockets’ head coach, Houston might contend for a championship. He already led the Boston Celtics to the 2022 Finals, so he might do it once more with this Rockets roster.
If they’ll notice their potential with Thompson, Durant, and Sengun as the large three, the Rockets are harmful.
