Rockets wing Amen Thompson is widely seen as one of the most promising young players in the NBA, and his excitement about teaming up with Kevin Durant is palpable.
In a recent Summer League interview with Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network (hat tip to Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire), Thompson discussed how the presence of the two-time Finals MVP could help elevate his own game – and fast-track his growth.
“He’s going to make my life a lot easier,” Thompson said with a grin. “He’s one of the greatest players ever, one of the best scorers ever. Just being on the court with him is going to open things up – space, reads, timing. … Definitely going to be passing it to him a lot. They’re going to be double teaming him, so I’m going to be cutting off the back of it.”
For Thompson, who just completed a stellar second season where he earned first-team All-Defensive honors and finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, the next step is refining his offensive game.
He made significant progress this past year, bumping his scoring average to 14.1 points per game on a highly efficient 55.7% shooting – most of it coming in transition and off smart cuts, an area where Durant’s gravity should unlock even more opportunities.
But beyond the X’s and O’s, Thompson is particularly energized by the chance to observe, and match, the future Hall of Famer’s dedication to his craft.
“I just hear his work ethic is different,” he said. “I feel like I have a different work ethic, too. Combining that, I think it’s gonna be fun. You hear stories – how he’s in the gym early, how he studies film, how he prepares – and I want to soak that in. He’s been everywhere I want to go.”
With Durant entering the twilight of his career and Thompson on the rise, the pairing offers the Rockets a unique balance of youth and experience. For Amen, the focus remains on learning and building – something he says Durant naturally inspires.
“He’s a hooper, man,” Thompson added. “That’s what I respect. All the talk, the noise – he just goes out and plays. I try to carry myself that way too. Hopefully I can pick his brain, but also just watch how he moves – how he leads, how he handles pressure. That’s gold for me.”
As Houston continues its rebuild with an eye toward contention, the Durant-Thompson connection could be one of the most compelling dynamics to watch – not just for highlight plays, but for how it might shape the next generation of NBA stars.
Southwest Notes: Thompson, Nembhard, Fears, Queen, Morant https://t.co/7WOd8DWS21 pic.twitter.com/IOb730qlPn
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 20, 2025
