ESPN: Rockets see elements of ‘Russell Westbrook at his peak’ in Amen Thompson’s future

After spending approximately a week in Houston during the Rockets' recent homestand, ESPN writer Tim MacMahon had his share of conversations with leaders throughout the organization.

In Monday's latest Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast, MacMahon spoke with Windhorst regarding his time in Houston and what he learned.

While acknowledging the possibility of pursuing an offseason trade for a superstar, MacMahon said the organization remains hopeful that it will develop at least one star-level player from its current crop of young talent.

"They feel like there are maybe four or five guys on that roster who have a chance," said MacMahon, who noted that he is working on a yet-to-be-published story regarding the Rockets' outlook.

So, who will it be? MacMahon didn't mince words regarding one possibility, and sources within the Rockets threw out a direct comparison. From the podcast:

Somebody there asked me with Amen Thompson... who obviously is going to be a star, but (the question is) can he be that offensive engine? They asked: "Tell me what Russell Westbrook at his peak could do that this kid doesn't have a chance to do?" It's an interesting question.

A nine-time NBA All-Star, Westbrook peaked with his Most Valuable Player (MVP) season in 2016-17 while averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Thompson isn't nearly at those levels just yet, but he's also just 22 years old and in his second season. There's ample time left for Thompson, an athletic marvel drafted at No. 4 overall in the 2023 first round, to try and climb those heights.

Thompson also profiles as a dynamic defensive player, as well — and at 6-foot-7, he's considerably more versatile than Westbrook on that end of the court.

As a starter in 2024-25, Thompson is averaging 16.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. Similar to Westbrook, the one weakness is 3-point shooting (24.0%), but the Rockets are hopeful that elite athleticism and strong play in other areas can largely overcome that limitation.

"...with Amen Thompson, who obviously is gonna be a star, can he be that offensive engine? They said, 'Tell me what Russell Westbrook did at his peak can do, that this kid doesn't have a chance to do"'
- Tim MacMahon[@espn_macmahon]

🔥🔥🔥
♨️♨️♨️
Thoughts?#Liftoff pic.twitter.com/W2nUHIvjKM
— Chris Gorman (@GormanChristoph) March 17, 2025

In other parts of Monday's conversation about the Rockets, which can be listened to in its entirety below, ESPN's MacMahon, Windhorst, and Tim Bontemps had kind words for recent showings by fourth-year players Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun and the long-term future of sparingly used rookie Reed Sheppard.

"They'll tell you that maybe their most talented offensive player is Sheppard," MacMahon said.

Houston (43-25) enters this week with six consecutive wins while surging into the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets compare Amen Thompson’s future to Russell Westbrook’s prime

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