The Houston Rockets are one of the most interesting teams heading into the 2025-26 NBA season. They pulled out Kevin Durant’s trade. That means they have a stacked roster with top-level talent, including the promising Amen Thompson.
The Western Conference has been stacked with top tier teams in the 2025-26 season. Defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder and perennial candidate Denver Nuggets are Western favourites. But the Houston Rockets could be a dark horse that will surprise everyone.
After Kevin Durant became a huge hit, he appeared on Rockets, and Houston has a roster stacked up. Durant is the necessary scorer along with All-Star Center Alperen Sengun. Defensively, they organize everything as a major stopper in Amen Thompson.
Thompson himself is pleased to have teammates who know he’ll be an elite scorer. As his go-to stopper for his first two seasons, he already knew Durant was a real deal. Now he’s also improving his offensive game, so he’s excited to play in two Finals MVPs.
The Rockets were already good during the 2024-25 season. Coach Udoka led the team to the second seed in the stacked Western Conference. However, the team was not satisfied with the calm for that, especially if it was eliminated by the seventh Golden State Warriors.
The front office was delivered by trading Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in Durant packages. Green was impressive at times, but he wasn’t too consistent and getting a proven superstar was the right move. Green has the opportunity to shine, so I am happy with this trade.
A popular deal in the locker room. Because almost everyone knows that Durant can do it. He has been at the top of the NBA for nearly 20 years and solidifies himself as one of the greatest offensive players of all time. If he joins the rocket, they could be the best in the West. Thompson agrees with that sentiment as he feels his team is far better than the previous year.
“It would be fun to play with him. I had to protect him. It’s like my matchup.
“You know I’m thinking of myself, if not the best defender in the league.
“We’ve double-teamed him and I’m protecting him. He’s bigger than me and he can pass by, which is what KD can pass.
“We have to double the others too, so we just know a simple opportunity for the whole team. We have that kind of threat.
Sengun was an All-Star for the 2024-25 season, but people feel that Thompson is a player destined for being a superstar. He was already an impressive player in his first two seasons, but was run primarily as a defender and transition threat.
Focusing on improving as a scorer, Thompson was able to raise himself to stardom. With Durant as his leader, he developed and became a star. He’s even running for the most improved players ahead of the 2025-26 season because of his potential.
He has all the physical tools to become a star, but he also has to realize this possibility. Thompson is a key player, so he can succeed in the long term. Winning more games and competing in the playoffs will push him even further, boosting Thompson to stardom, and Rocket could be a contender for the title.