Amen Thompson is expected to be one of the best two-way players in the entire NBA in the coming season, and believes he has unraveled the secret to making an offensive in the next step this year.
When Amen Thompson was drafted fourth overall by the Houston Rockets in 2023, he was particularly raw on offense, but he was full of possibilities.
With solid handles, excellent court vision, unparalleled athleticism and elite defense, Rocket simply needed him to put him in order to succeed.
In his second season in the league, he made a leap in scoring, creating all defensive first teams. Already an elite defender, he hopes his offensive game will catch up next season thanks to one important addition.
This offseason, the Rockets traded Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant, one of the greatest scorers of all time. With solid facilitators from Fred Vanvriet and Alperen Senggan, as well as floor spacers either Tali Eason or Dorian Finney Smith, the offense should be more open than ever for Thompson.
He’s not yet a solid shooter from deep yet, but he can easily get to the basket, improving his mid-range jump shots, and I think he’ll get an unprecedented open look thanks to Durant’s addition.
“He’s one of the greatest players of all time. He’s one of the greatest scorers of all time. He’s going to make my life so much easier,” Thompson told ESPN’s Vanessa Richardson.
On and off the court, Thompson plans to become a sponge. He’s already a better defender than Durant, and if he’s half the scorer, the Rockets have a star running around for the next few seasons.
“I’ve heard that his work ethic is different,” he continued. “I feel like I have a different work ethic too, so I think it’s fun to combine it. I’m definitely going to give him a lot.
Last season, the Rockets finished second in the Western Conference before losing in the first round. In that series, Thompson posted regular game stats, and although there were shortages of rockets, it affected victory on both ends of the floor.
Despite the early exit, Rocket is solidifying itself as a true title contender, and the addition of Durant only improves the odds.
If Thompson is the best defender in one of the league’s greatest teams and can become the third or fourth scorer, it’s safe to say he will make his first All-Star team in 2026. Fan voting elements have helped Rocket in the past.
Behind Victor Wenbagnama, he is the best player in the 2023 draft class, and will make the Southwest division one of the best groups in the entire league.