Those aren’t our words; they’re Sam Quinn’s from CBS Sports, and we agree—nobody knows what lies ahead for this young core.
Quinn believes the future hinges on Amen Thompson, considering him the most exciting prospect in the group. “If (Thompson) ever learns to shoot, he’s going to be the best player in this core,” he said.
Does he have a point?
Can Houston Rockets guard be a franchise player?
This quote is from an article ranking every NBA head coaching job, where Quinn places the Rockets’ position at 17th, mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding the team’s future.
“The Rockets are a bit of a mystery box at this point, but a promising one. Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green have both had All-Star-caliber stretches, but neither is a proven franchise cornerstone.”
Many Rockets fans might disagree, arguing that Sengun is already a cornerstone player. Sengun just finished a season averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists at age 21, a remarkable combination of youth and production. He’s likely to make All-Star games in his career, making it reasonable to consider him a cornerstone player.
However, concerns about Sengun’s defensive limitations persist. The Rockets’ rumored attempt to sign Brook Lopez this summer suggests they share these concerns. In contrast, Thompson’s defensive ability is not in question, but that doesn’t make him a guaranteed cornerstone.
Houston Rockets guard needs to keep working
Quinn emphasizes that Thompson’s potential hinges on his shooting ability. Currently, Thompson is a poor shooter, making his potential stardom uncertain. Yet, there are other paths to stardom for Thompson. With his athleticism and size, he could excel in the paint or thrive in the dunker’s spot when off the ball.
Could Sengun become a reliable stretch big? Possibly. He shot 29.7% from three-point range in 2023-24, a mark that, with some improvement, could make him a threat from beyond the arc. If Sengun can’t improve, the Rockets will need to rethink their roster construction.
That’s part of the mystery.
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