NBA’s general managers are in consensus about Amen Thompson, voting the Houston Rockets’ third year forward as among the best in many areas of the game.
The NBA.com annual survey listed Thompson as the most versatile defender heading into the 2025 season garnering 18 percent of the votes from the 49 GMs that were asked. He edged former Defensive Players of the Year Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks). He is also regarded as the most athletic, getting the majority of the votes with 58 percent. Anthony Edwards is far second with 23 percent.
It does not stop there as GMs also think he is the third best perimeter defender after NBA All-Defensive First Team members Alex Caruso (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks).
Ultimately, he was voted as the one with the best chance of becoming the breakout player of the year with 30 percent votes beating Charlotte Hornets’ Brandon Miller and his twin brother Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons.
Thompson will have a bigger role this season after massive leap from the last. With Fred VanVleet, he will find himself with more touches as he is being considered as the team’s point guard.
Amen Thompson vs Victor Wembanyama soon
Thompson got the motor and hustle to become a really great defender. The GMs are seeing it. It is the offense is where can improve.
He will get there. In fact, according to his own teammate Jabari Smith Jr., he has shown massive improvement with his outside shooting. Once he get there, conversation on who the best two-way player in the league is should star.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs has the potential to reach that height but for 2016 champion Kendrick Perkins, Thompson should be no that far off. The former player turned NBA commentator made this comment while talking about his favorable grade to Rockets’ offensive machine.
“I believe they’re going to be the best offensive team in the league. They had 32 assists last night, 68 paint points, and 13 dunks. They’re going to get out and run,” said Perkins in his show.
“But they’re going to get stops, and it’s going to be led by their best defender in Amen Thompson, who I believe is going to challenge Victor Wembenyama in the next few years as the best two-way player in the game.”
What makes Thompson special?
“It’s solely instincts. Look at him. He’s supposed to be at the nail. Active hands getting out in transition. Speed, quickness, IQ…. This man is going to be special, and he’s going to challenge Victor in a few years on who’s the best two-way player in the game.”
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