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Evan Turner shares Amen Thompson concern that makes him doubt the Houston Rockets as title contenders

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By James Shearman | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 3:36 PM ET

The Houston Rockets are expected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference in the 2025-26 season.

The Rockets finished second in the West with 52 wins last season before suffering a disappointing first-round defeat to the Golden State Warriors.

Despite having one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, Houston showed impatience by trading for Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns this summer.

This win-now move was supposed to elevate them into title contention, but former NBA player Evan Turner is not convinced that it will.

Turner is skeptical about one aspect of Amen Thompson’s game that could hold the Rockets back this season.

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Evan Turner raises concerns about Amen Thompson’s ball-handling

The Rockets suffered a major setback earlier this offseason as Fred VanVleet tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

The knee injury will keep VanVleet out for most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season, leaving Houston with a void in the backcourt.

This could see rising star Amen Thompson become their primary ball-handler for the first time in his professional career.

“The only reason why I’m not a big fan of Houston is that I have to see more of Amen’s ball handling,” Turner explained. “They don’t have many ball handlers. They don’t like a lot of veteran playmaking.

“And right now, I think Amen and Reed Sheppard are going to have to learn on the fly. I believe they have the right type of coach to set it up. And I think KD is going to be able to play KD level.

“Sengun’s very, very good, but I don’t like KD sometimes getting stuck in a Nets situation or even last year with the Suns, it has to darn near go perfect for him to make it happen.

“And that’s not a diss to KD. It’s just you need more dogs because you know he’s going to silently try to lead the way.”

Evan Turner questions the Houston Rockets’ shooting

After NBA expert Chris Mannix argued that the Rockets will be fine without VanVleet, Turner replied with another issue with their roster.

He pointed out that Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr are Houston’s only quality shooters, which could lead to spacing problems.

“The only thing I’m just saying is like they’re missing depth of shooting,” Turner added. “They don’t have so many shooters. That’s it.

“You have KD, you have Jabari Smith when he doesn’t want to go ISO 101. You just need to find a couple more shooters.

“Fred VanVleet not only has experience, he has championship experience. Remember what he did in the Finals versus the Warriors. He didn’t miss.

“Sometimes it seems like every team that KD joins, when things break down, they have to use ISO ball. But now that they have Sengun, I feel like they can play through him a little bit more. More dribble handoffs, so it won’t put so much pressure on Amen Thompson.

“It’ll be legit. I’m not mad at that because I want KD’s legacy to keep being added to because we are looking at one of the best players.”

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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