Amen Thompson is on the radar as one of the NBA’s breakout names for 2026-27, and the reason is pretty clear: his next leap depends on the shot.
The Rockets guard was included on The Ringer’s list of six breakout candidates, a nod that comes after another strong season in Houston. Since the 2023 NBA Draft, Rockets fans have been waiting for Thompson to turn that promise into an All-Star-level year. He already took another step forward last season, especially with the way he kept locking things down on defense, but the missing piece remains his 3-point work.
That’s where Houston’s offseason move could matter. The Rockets brought in respected shooting coach Chip Engelland, the same instructor who previously worked with Kawhi Leonard. For Thompson, that kind of addition could be a real boost as he tries to build a more reliable jumper.
“The notion that either twin (Amen or Ausar) will become an above-average 3-point shooter feels like a pipe dream at this point, yet there is still a lot that can be gained from a shooting coach at this pivotal juncture in their respective careers.”
Last season, Thompson shot 21.6% from 3-point range, so getting all the way to league average, which sits around 35-36%, won’t happen overnight. But even a meaningful jump would change things for Houston. It would force defenses to respect him on the perimeter and open up more room for him to attack closeouts, which in turn could lead to even more damage at the rim in Ime Udoka’s offense.
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Rockets Face One Big Question In Kyrie Irving Pursuit
With training camp approaching, the Rockets have found themselves tied to one of the leagues most recognizable names again: Kyrie Irving. The idea floating around is straightforward enough. Houston could explore a trade for the Mavericks guard while protecting its core pieces, which would keep the conversation centered on fit, price and whether the franchise is ready to make another major swing at the top of the West.
The complication is obvious, even before the deal framework gets serious. Irving is working his way back from an ACL injury and is expected to return next season, which makes any pursuit as much about patience as it is about talent. If Houston does decide to keep pushing, the discussion seems likely to involve Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams as possible outgoing pieces, but the larger question remains how aggressive the Rockets want to be before camp begins. [Read more 🡒]
Amen Thompsons Next Step Could Change How Far The Rockets Go
Amen Thompson took a big leap last season, enough to make the Rockets believe his rise is becoming a real organizing principle for everything they want to do. The fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has already grown into a starter whose versatility gives Houston lineups a different look, and his production backed it up with strong scoring, rebounding and playmaking numbers while he also drew top-10 notice in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The next step is the one that could determine how far this thing goes. Thompson is already in the conversation for Most Improved Player entering next season, but the gap between being a high-end all-around piece and a true engine still comes down to the shooting, especially from the perimeter and mid-range. Houston is betting its new assistant coach can help unlock that part of his game, and if that happens, the Rockets ceiling gets a lot more interesting. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Just Took A Flier On A Rookie Big Worth Watching
The Rockets added another developmental big to the mix by signing rookie center Rafael Castro to a two-way contract, giving the organization a chance to take a longer look at a player who has already logged stops at George Washington and Providence. Castro also got a taste of the pro evaluation process by participating in the 2026 NBA draft combine and summer league, and now he lands in a setup designed to keep young players moving between Houston and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Castros arrival gives the Rockets another frontcourt project to monitor as the club continues shaping its developmental pipeline. The two-way arrangement lets him split time between the NBA roster and the G League, which is where Houston can sort out how much real upside there is in a rookie center still early in his pro journey. [Read more 🡒]