Amen Thompson unlocks a Rockets lineup no team can matchup against

The Houston Rockets have one of the most intriguing rosters in the NBA heading into 2025-26. Playing Amen Thompson at the 5 could be the key to unlocking some of their most lethal lineups.

That shouldn't shock Rockets fans. Sure, Thompson is shorter than the average 5. Rockets fans have seen firsthand how lethal a small-ball 5 can be.

No, that's not a reference to P.J. Tucker - 6'5" is too small without exceptional athletic gifts. Thompson has those gifts, so he should be able to roughly replicate the impact of a small-ball big who destroyed the Rockets for years.

Thompson could be their Draymond Green

Rockets' Amen Thompson can unlock the team's versatility

Sam Vecenie of the Game Theory Podcast recently discussed this.

"What makes the Rockets so good is their flexibility."

- Sam Vecenie, Game Theory Podcast

That flexibility starts with Thompson. This is a player who's expected to start at the 2 in 2025-26, and here we are talking about him as a 5. Yet, it makes perfect sense.

Thompson can operate as a roll man. He can work as a passing hub in the high post. He's a guard/wing who rebounds like a big man, and perhaps most importantly, he can protect the rim from the weakside while still allowing the Rockets to use a switch-everything defensive scheme.

Playing him at the 5 will also force opposing teams to make adjustments. The Rockets could lean heavily into transition and force more traditional bigs off the court. Few teams will be able to match Thompson's athleticism as a 5 without compromising in traditional big-man areas. The Lakers could counter with Rui Hachimura at the 5, but they shouldn't expect to get many rebounds.

So, there are a lot of benefits in playing Thompson at the 5. It raises a question:

But how much time should Thompson spend at the position?

Rockets' Amen Thompson will wear many hats

In some respects, this idea is contrary to what the Rockets are doing.

If anything, this team is leaning into size. We'll undoubtedly see a return to the dual big lineups that were so successful in 2024-25. With Clint Capela in the fold, they might be even more commonplace.

There's always been some appeal in Jabari Smith Jr. as a stretch 5 as well. The Rockets could run lineups with 5-out spacing by using him there. They could also space the floor out for Thompson as a primary. ball-handler. Thompson could play the 5, but he could also play the 1.

It all speaks to the same flexibility Vecenie was praising. Thompson won't be used primarily as a 5. It's still an interesting option that Ime Udoka should explore:

It could unlock some of their best lineups.