The Houston Rockets are one of the favorites for the 2026 NBA Championship, and it’s not just because of Kevin Durant.
Yes, Durant’s trade to the Rockets turned the Rockets into a true contender instead of an outsider trying to pull off an upset. They were the No. 2 seed last year, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, and many felt they were one player away.
But it was the performance and growth of the young players that made Houston’s future bright. Alperen Sengun took a step toward NBA stardom, leading the team in the 2019 and 2010 seasons, and was named to the All-Star team for the first time.
He and Durant form a true dynamic duo. And Durant’s former teammate Kendrick Perkins said the Rockets’ third star would cause serious problems for teams around the league.
Like Sengan, Armen Thompson also took a big leap forward in his second NBA season. The 22-year-old didn’t have a sophomore slump. He averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds, becoming one of the most effective defenders in the NBA.
Perkins says the Rockets, with Durant’s elite scoring, Sengan’s playmaking from the forward spot and Thompson’s defense, will be too much for any NBA team to handle.
He posted on X, “The Rockets are going to be dangerous. It’s going to be hard to counter them because they have too much size, athleticism and skill. Armen Thompson is serious.”
That happened after the Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 140-127 in Durant’s Houston debut in the preseason. Durant scored 20 points in 23 minutes on 7-10 from the field. It’s still early, but he looks as dominant as ever.
In a game in which all of the Rockets’ starters scored in double figures, Thompson had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Sengun also recorded 13 assists. So far, this Houston team appears to be exactly what was advertised when the Durant trade was announced.
At NBA Media Day, Durant spoke in detail about his new teammates for the first time. He said he has never seen a player with Thompson’s physical skills in NBA history.
“Amen is a 6-foot-7 weirdo who can do anything,” Durant told reporters. I don’t think we’ve ever seen that kind of athleticism in our league. ”
That’s high praise from a man who has played alongside some of the greatest athletes in league history. Durant played alongside Russell Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder and LeBron James with Team USA, but he believes Thompson’s athleticism will surpass both of them.
That trend clearly runs in the family, as his twin brother, Author Thompson, is similarly impressed with the Detroit Pistons’ defense. However, Author Thompson hasn’t shown the same offensive promise as his older brother, which makes the Rockets’ young star an exciting prospect alongside Durant.