Amen Thompson arrived this season with All-Star expectations hanging over him, and the Houston Rockets made that message loud and clear before the 2026-2027 campaign even tipped off. Thompson signed a five-year, $208 million contract extension, a deal that reflects how high the ceiling is on the 23-year-old guard after his steady rise.
The bigger question now is whether he has done enough to look like an All-Star in the making. Through this season, Thompson is putting up 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Those are solid numbers, but they have not yet screamed “first-time All-Star” in a Western Conference that keeps getting harder to crack.
What Thompson has clearly brought is value beyond the box score. He remains a major defensive force and a jolt of energy for Houston, the kind of player who changes possessions and gives the Rockets a different edge. But the offensive leap that would push him into a different tier has not fully arrived yet, and that’s where the conversation keeps landing.
As one evaluation put it: “As of right now, I would say no. I don’t think Amen Thompson has quite lived up to the All-Star expectations coming into this season, but it is very early.
Thompson has been solid and a very important part of the Rockets rotation, but I was expecting him to make another leap this year. Statistically his points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal % are all down.
He’s been a little inconsistent and his shooting continues to be his main weakness. He’s still one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and is one of the most athletic players which provides a ton of value.
The biggest question for me is whether he can become a more consistent offensive threat. If he wants to make his first All-Star team in a loaded Western Conference, I think he needs to become more aggressive offensively and show more consistency from game to game. The talent is absolutely there, but I haven't seen that next leap just yet.”
Another assessment was more direct about where Thompson stands offensively: “They're winning, right? So in the collective context, Thompson is contributing to a good thing, with his defense and slashing ability.
The outside shot? Not there yet.
Not even close. But at least he's essentially avoided the long ones, which is why he's still at a healthy 51 percent overall.
The argument against his All-Star case, however, is that two of his teammates have gotten off to strong starts, and Alperen Sengun has more eye-popping offensive statistics, which is the center has risen to the top 6 on NBA's MVP ladder.
Houston may get two All-Stars, if they continue playing at a high level. But it's tough to get three, and you know Kevin Durant is locked in. Deservedly so.”
That’s the bind for Thompson right now. He’s part of a winning group, he’s doing important work on the defensive end, and his athleticism still jumps off the page. But with Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. drawing stronger notice as scoring options, Thompson still has to prove he can become the kind of consistent offensive threat that turns promise into an All-Star nod.
In Other News...
Rockets Early Identity Is Clear But One Weak Spot Could Matter
Through 10 games, the Rockets have looked much like the version they hoped to be, sitting tied for fifth in the Western Conference and getting steady production from Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson. The early returns have also reflected the teams defensive identity, with Houston ranking 10th in defensive rating and second in defending the three-point line, a strong foundation for a group trying to establish itself in the West.
The concern is what happens when opponents get inside the arc. Houston has not been as sharp protecting the rim or limiting overall field goal percentage, and the issue has been made more noticeable by the absence of veteran depth in the frontcourt. Steven Adams is sidelined with a calf injury, Clint Capela is out with an ankle issue, and the Rockets are suddenly thinner behind their main bigs than they would like this early in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Durant Faces One Rockets Question That Could Define Their Ceiling
Kevin Durants first meeting with the Suns in a Rockets uniform offered a quick reminder of how much his shot diet can shape Houstons offense. He still got to 21 points, but the night was defined less by volume than by where those looks came from, with the Rockets leaning on a scorer who spent most of his time working from the perimeter and the midrange instead of forcing the issue at the basket.
For Houston, that matters because the ceiling of this group is tied to how often Durant can bend a defense in the paint and create easier answers for everyone else. When his touches turn into tougher jumpers, the offense can flatten out, and the Rockets lose some of the pressure that makes their attack dangerous. The question now is whether they can get him into more rim attacks and turn those possessions into something more efficient for both Durant and the team around him. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Face A Bigger Problem Than Their Improved Offense
The Rockets have clearly tried to evolve their identity this season, moving away from the bruising, physically dominant style that defined last year and leaning into a more polished offensive approach. The results have shown up in a better offensive rating, but the tradeoff has been hard to miss. Houston no longer looks as overwhelming on the glass or as disruptive on defense, which is a significant shift for a team that built so much of its edge on controlling possessions.
What makes the change more complicated is that the offense still does not have a true superstar to lean on every night. The Rockets can play prettier basketball and still need someone to steady the attack when the shots dry up, but the bigger concern may be on the second unit and in the paint. Steven Adams absence has left a noticeable void in the frontcourt rotation, and Houstons need for a more reliable backup center is becoming harder to ignore. [Read more 🡒]