ESPN analysts predict Rockets’ Amen Thompson will win state-of-the-art players
Despite the record of 52-30 in 2024-25, the Rockets were still bounced in the first round of the playoffs. It was a disappointing ending for the Houston season. During the offseason in 2025, the Rockets made changes to the roster.
These include two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant, a trade with the Suns. Additionally, the team will take Dorian Finney-Smith as a free agent. Entering 2025-26, the Rockets are expected to take a step forward as a team. In a recent ESPN poll with journalists, editors and analysts, they were asked who will win the most advanced players in 2025-26. The most common answer is Rockets’ SF Amen Thompson. He could have a breakthrough year in the upcoming season.
Experts predict Amen Thompson will win state-of-the-art players in 2025-26
In ESPN’s latest article, the most progressive player of the season is considered the ultimate “out of control champion” and is regarded as the ultimate “out of control winner”
ESPN said Thompson will play a “significant role” for the Rockets this season and “has established himself as an elite defensive player” pic.twitter.com/QSJBA7S5N8
– SleeperRockets (@sleeperrockets) August 26, 2025
The Rockets chose Amen Thompson in the fourth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Thompson played 131 games for Houston and played 65 games in two seasons. In 2024-25, Thompson competed in 69 Rockets games and played 42 games. He averaged a career-high 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. With this work, Amen Thompson was named a full-defensive first team.
Additionally, he ranked fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year vote. The young SF is an elite defense, showing off the flash of offensive consistency. Prior to the 2025-26 season, ESPN conducted a poll to rank six major NBA awards. Over the next year, ESPN reporters, editors and analysts believe that Amen Thompson will win the most advanced players.
This incident makes the Rockets the most terrifying team in the league:
“The scariest thing about this Houston Rockets is Amen Thompson. We know what he can do on defense, and he is undoubtedly one of the best athletes the NBA has to offer…if he can develop a high level… pic.twitter.com/3gzzzzdkd0
– SpaceCityStepback (@spacecitystepbk) July 24, 2025
In the offseason, players like Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks were traded and Thompson will play a bigger role in the team. He is still not a full-time starter for the Rockets. He is likely to start the starter of the 2025-26 season. Kevin Durant may lead the team to score next year. But Amen Thompson’s pathway scored more than 20 points per game.
Amen Thompson improved his scoring average from first grade to second year. If he can take another step in his third year, he will be one of the highest two-way players in the NBA. It’s comparable to Prime Kawhi Leonard. Thompson’s biggest knock on the door was his unanimous shot. The miracles that improve his overall work in Houston will do wonders. We will wait and see if Thompson makes another leap in 2025-26.
