Kevin Durant offers the exact model Amen Thompson needs to lead the Rockets

The Houston Rockets have a superstar in the making in defensive and playmaking ace Amen Thompson. If he hopes to make the leap to true superstardom, however, he'll need to prove he can score when the Rockets need him most.

Thankfully, teammate Kevin Durant is perfectly suited to help Thompson make the leap by teaching him the nuances of midrange mastery.

Thompson is already one of the best players in the NBA. Bold a claim as that may be, he proved as much when he earned All-Defensive First Team honors in 2024-25. He's establishing it even further by making an offensive leap in 2025-26.

Thompson has increased his averages from 14.1 points and 3.8 assists per game in 2024-25 to 17.4 points and 5.1 assists per contest in 2025-26 while making an 11.6 percent jump at the charity stripe.

The focus remains on his jump shot, however, as Thompson is burying just 20.5 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Clearly, that number will need to improve if he's ever going to become the offensive focal point he has the potential to be.

The skill that can truly unlock Thompson's potential, however, is a midrange jump shot that more naturally fits his game. As fate would have it, Durant is one of the kings of it.

Amen Thompson can learn how to excel in isolation from Kevin Durant

Durant is an all-time great shooter from every angle of the floor, as well as a tremendous finisher below and above the rim. The trademark of his game, however, is an uncanny ability to get to his spots and bury midrange jump shots at virtual will.

With four scoring titles, two championships, and a pair of Finals MVP awards to show for his efforts, it's safe to say Durant's midrange priorities have worked out for him.

Thompson must take that truth to heart and focus on adapting Durant's greatest strength to his own game. He'll need to improve his outside shot to become a more effective team player on offense, but a midrange jumper is actually a natural addition to his current skill set and style of play.

While shooting more threes would require Thompson to adjust his general approach, his downhill style is perfectly suited for the addition of a midrange game.

Amen Thompson can more naturally add a midrange game than a 3-ball

Thompson currently leads the Rockets with 12.3 drives per game. Anyone who watches Houston knows that getting downhill with a full head of steam is his preferred offensive strategy, which makes the ability to overcome the traps he'll inevitably encounter in the playoffs an essential area of focus.

Thankfully, Durant is one of the unquestioned kings of overcoming that very issue with a midrange game that instantly resolves the problem before it can manifest.

Thompson developing a midrange jumper is thus essential, as teams will either give him open threes or trap him in the midrange during the postseason. Neither outcome is particularly ideal given his current skill set, even if he is a tremendous passer in such scenarios.

In order to not only become the franchise player but help the Rockets win playoff games, Thompson needs to be able to rise up and prove defenders won't find luck by making him shoot from 10-to-23 feet.

Thankfully, Thompson is already putting in the work. He's attempted 32 midrange jump shots in 21 appearances, thus increasing his average to 1.5 per game in 2025-26 from 1.0 in 2024-25. With Durant by his side, his efficiency should increase accordingly.

In the event that Thompson continues to build out his midrange game and turn it into a strength, the rest should fall into place as the Rockets make a significant leap toward contending.