Fred VanVleet’s knee injury has raised a pressing question: Who will handle the point guard duties for the Houston Rockets, a team hoping to take the next step in its bid for NBA supremacy?
And while head coach Ime Udoka has claimed that the team will take a by-committee approach to filling the huge hole left behind by veteran VanVleet, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps has placed the spotlight on third-year forward Amen Thompson, who he believes will have such a spectacular season that he will eventually become the league’s most improved player.
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Breakout year?
A player’s third year is crucial for their development. With a couple of years’ worth of experience under their belt, a guy with ample potential can finally put everything together and make the leap to stardom. Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard took this route and according to Bontemps, the next player to follow in their footsteps might be Thompson.
A super-athletic 6’7″ forward had a great second NBA season, averaging 14.1 points on 55.7 percent shooting, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game to earn All-Defensive Team First Team honors — a lofty feat for the 22-year-old. Now, with the ball expected to be in his hands more, Bontemps figures Thompson’s game will elevate to new heights.
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“We’ve seen a lot of guys in their third year break out and take off. And like I said last week, I think Amen Thompson’s going to be the Most Improved Player in the league,” the respected pundit declared.
Thompson has shown flashes of brilliance in his first two years in the league, but none clearer than in last year’s playoffs. With the veteran Golden State Warriors standing in their way, he fearlessly took on the task of defending two-time league MVP Stephen Curry and still contributed on the offensive end, highlighted by a 25- and 24-point outbursts in Games 5 and 7.
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A chance to be an All-Star
Bontemps is clearly high on Amen and for good reason. Thompson’s usage rate was at 18.5 last season, a figure that many expect will rise with his expanded role as point guard. In fact, Bontemps doesn’t just think Amen has what it takes to become the Most Improved Player; he believes the California native has a legitimate shot at becoming an All-Star.
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“I think he’s got a real chance to be an All-Star this year. And again, the Fred injury is going to mean, by default, he’s going to be given a ton of opportunity. And you know, from everything we’ve seen from him over the first couple of years in the league, if he can stay healthy, I expect he’s going to have a really big year,” Bontemps surmised.
“And Ime Udoka clearly believes in him and is going to give him every chance to maximize what he can be,” he continued. “And I, for one, although I’m super bummed about Fred, am very interested and excited to see what Amen is going to look like when he’s got the ball in his hands for 25 minutes a night.”
With Kevin Durant as his teammate, Thompson will not be lacking in guidance and instruction. He clearly has the tools to become a primary weapon for the Rockets, not just a complementary piece, and it’s all a matter of putting it together on the court.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.