The Houston Rockets are one of the leading contenders for the NBA championship in 2026, and that’s not only because of Kevin Durant.
Yes, Durant’s trade to the Rockets turned them into true contenders, rather than outsiders looking to cause an upset. They were the two-seed last year, but were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, and many felt like they were one player away.
But what made the future so bright in Houston was the performance and growth of their young players. Alperen Sengun took a step into NBA stardom, leading the team with a 19 and 10 season and making the All-Star team for the first time.
He and Durant form a true dynamic duo. And Durant’s former teammate, Kendrick Perkins, says a third star on the Rockets will cause teams around the league a serious problem.
Just like Sengun, Amen Thompson took a sizeable leap in his second NBA season. There was no sophomore slump for the 22-year-old. He averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds, and turned into one of the most dominant defenders in the NBA.
With Durant’s elite scoring, Sengun’s playmaking from the forward spot and Thompson’s defense, Perkins says the Rockets will be too much for teams around the NBA to handle.
He posted to X, “The Rockets are going to be dangerous. Too much size, athleticism and skills is going to be hard to compete with it that damn Amen Thompson is SERIOUS.”
The Rockets are going to be dangerous. Too much size, athleticism and skills is going to be hard to compete with it that damn Amen Thompson is SERIOUS
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) October 9, 2025
That came after the Rockets beat the Utah Jazz in preseason 140-127 in Durant’s Houston debut. Durant had 20 points in 23 minutes, going 7-10 from the field. It’s early, but he looks as dominant as ever.
Thompson logged 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in a game where every Rockets starter scored in double digits. Sengun also dished 13 assists. So far, this Houston team seems to be as advertised when Durant’s trade was announced.
On NBA media day, Durant spoke at length about his new teammates for the first time. He said that we have never seen a player with Thompson’s physical skillset in the history of the NBA.
Durant explained to reporters: “Amen being just a do-everything, 6’7” freak-of-nature. I don’t think we’ve ever seen that type of athleticism in our league.”
That’s high praise from a man who has played alongside some of the greatest athletes in the league’s history. Durant played with Russell Westbrook for the Oklahoma City Thunder and LeBron James for Team USA, but he thinks Thompson’s athleticism eclipses them both.
It clearly runs in the family, as his twin brother, Ausar Thompson, has equally impressed with his defense for the Detroit Pistons . Ausar Thompson hasn’t shown the same offensive promise as his brother, however, which makes the young Rockets star an exciting prospect alongside Durant.
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