Big winner of Rockets’ Kevin Durant rumor would get the perfect mentor

If the Houston Rockets trade for Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson would have the perfect veteran to teach him how to evolve offensively.

The Houston Rockets are inching closer to a decision that would go a long way toward determining their future. Currently balancing quality veterans with one of the youngest cores in the NBA, Houston has been linked to superstar talent on the trade market that would undoubtedly alter its trajectory.

If their rumored interest in Kevin Durant ultimately materializes, then the Rockets would be equipping Amen Thompson with the perfect veteran mentor.

Thompson has already emerged as one of the NBA's brightest young stars. Unfortunately, his lone distinguishable weakness happens to be essential to modern success: Shooting. Thankfully, help could be on the way in the form of a future Hall of Famer.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Rockets are one of several teams to express interest in trading for Durant.

"Teams that have expressed interest in Durant, sources said, mainly feature the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks. Several wild-card suitors have made inquiries on Durant in the past seven to 10 days, sources said."

Nothing has materialized just yet, but Houston would give Thompson an excellent player to learn from by acquiring Durant this summer.

Rockets reportedly interested in trading for Kevin Durant

Thompson is already one of the best up-and-coming players in the NBA. He earned All-Defensive First Team honors in just his second season, and increased his three-point field goal percentage by 13.7 percent between 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Thompson finished his second year in the NBA averaging 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks on .557/.275/.684 shooting.

Thompson's growth continued in the playoffs. He overcame early struggles to average 20.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 block on .547/.333/.808 shooting between the final four games of Houston's first-round series against the Golden State Warriors.

That includes Game 5, when he posted 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, five steals, and three blocks, as well as the 24 points he scored in Game 7.

The harsh reality facing Thompson, however, is that his lackluster shooting will be detrimental to spacing until the issue is rectified. He deserves praise for the progress he's made, but Houston is close to contending and must actively erase its flaws.

Thankfully for Thompson, Durant is the perfect player to teach him how to improve in the one area he can still call an overall weakness.

Amen Thompson can learn intricacies of offense from Kevin Durant

Durant is on the shortlist of the greatest shooters in the history of the forward positions. Not only is he lethal in catch-and-shoot situations, but there are few who have ever played in the NBA who can compare to his proficiency off the bounce—regardless of position.

If Thompson is going to take the next step in his evolution as an offensive player, then Durant is the perfect star for him to learn those invaluable traits from.

Durant is a four-time scoring champion, placing him behind just Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain for the most seasons as the NBA's leader in points or, after 1969, points per game. He boasts a career average of 27.2 points per contest on .502/.390/.882 shooting.

Moreover, Durant is a midrange marksman who ranks among the best in NBA history as far as shot selection and getting to one's spots is concerned.

As such, Durant can not only help Thompson improve his shooting form, but how he sees the game as a scorer. That includes off-ball movement to create space for his teammates, improving an already strong handle to excel more in isolation, and identifying the perfect angles to strike from.

Perhaps Houston will make the devastating mistake of including Thompson in a trade for Durant, but if they err on the side of logic, they'll have a duo with immeasurable upside.