Amen Thompson has a chance to win unexpected crown with Rockets' positional change

As the Houston Rockets brought in Kevin Durant this offseason, it has been widely expected that the rotation, and especially the team's young core, will conform around him and the touches that he will demand.

Therefore, as dynamic young wing Amen Thompson will likely move to shooting guard this season in order for him to stay in the starting lineup, he could suddenly earn the surprising crown of being the best guard in his (stacked) draft class.

While Thompson went fourth overall in a draft that was headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller, the class's guards have largely not yet panned out as stars, and Thompson's positional shift could suddenly place him atop a unique leaderboard.

Amen Thompson may quickly become the best guard in his draft class this season

The 2023 draft class, with the benefit of two seasons of hindsight, seems to be shaping up to be one of remarkable talent. Wembanyama, with only 117 games under his belt, has already been in serious contention for Defensive Player of the Year twice. Brandon Miller looks poised for a serious third-year breakout in Charlotte. Players such as Cason Wallace, Anthony Black, Gradey Dick and Brandin Podziemski have all carved out serious roles for themselves.

Yet, perhaps most impressively, the Thompson twins have quickly become perhaps the most electrifying athletic specimens in the NBA, and Amen Thompson, insofar as he is now set to feature prominently on a contention-worthy Houston roster, could be well on his way to NBA stardom.

Through 69 games last season, Thompson took a huge leap forward, averaging 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists while getting votes for Defensive Player of the Year and earning a First-Team All Defense nod.

However, a full-time move to shooting guard may force him to adjust his game somewhat to the new construction of the offense, bringing out new layers in his perimeter game and perhaps accelerating his ascension.

Scoot Henderson, who the Portland Trailblazers selected second overall in Thompson's draft, certainly could represent competition for this title. Last season, through 66 games, Henderson averaged 12.7 points, three rebounds and 5.1 assists. However, as long as Portland's backcourt construction remains curious and Henderson's offensive potential remains not yet fully recognized, it is likely that Thompson will be by far the better player even with the positional shift.

Therefore, in taking on the shooting guard role for the Rockets, Thompson may be doing more than opening the door for a new manifestation of his game; he might be guaranteeing himself a prestigious title in one of the best draft classes in recent memory.