The Houston Rockets’ future looks bright already even before the arrival of Kevin Durant and that has a lot to do with their promising youngsters. They may have lost Jalen Green who was their top scorer last season in the trade but they still got Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith who have been busy improving their wares this summer.
Head coach Ime Udoka said Smith has been working closely with KD in the past weeks, being a sponge who tries to pick the brain of the future Hall of Fame member.
Ime Udoka said Kevin Durant has been mentoring Jabari Smith Jr. in training camp, per @HOURocketsSI
“Jabari’s been a sponge…soaking up [information], working out together, learning some of the things he does well, regardless of him taking a natural step as well.” pic.twitter.com/DFzm9Nv0uE
— SleeperRockets (@SleeperRockets) October 1, 2025
Smith, who Rockets picked third overall in 2022, is being eyed to become a starter after spending most of the games as a sixth man in 2024-25. The was a starter in his first two seasons, missing just a total of nine games in both.
Udoka recently teased the dynamics he will get once Smith and Durant share the floor, comparing them to his former Orlando Magic teammates Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis during his playing days.
Amen Thompson is working on his outside shooting
Another confirmed starter is Amen who turned heads in his second year. He has high motor, good nose for the ball, a good shot blocker, and a lockdown defender. He got almost everything but his shooting is still suspect.
Smith teased that the third year forward is on it already. He is not just working on it, he is close to mastering it.
“He has a lot more confidence in it, especially his mid-range coming off of pick-and-rolls.
“It looks a lot better, a lot more fluid. If he’s making shots, it makes us a totally different team, and him a totally different player.”
Thompson shooting outside and being an option is a scary thought. He can be a double threat player like Russell Westbrook in his heydays or Lebron James.
For the latest Basketball Content
Make sure you are always updated on your favorite basketball players and teams. Follow us @HardwoodHeroics for the latest and trending news about NBA, college basketball, and more. Stay updated by reading more of our NBA articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
