Nov 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) and forward Kevin Durant (7) celebrate after a play during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Nov 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) and forward Kevin Durant (7) celebrate after a play during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Houston Rockets have reportedly given their 23-year-old star Amen Thompson a five-year, $208 million contract extension to lock down the final piece of their young core for the long term.
Amen Thompson ended the 2025-26 season averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while shooting 53.4% from the field. Kevin Durant, the team’s veteran superstar, saw the update on social media and reacted to it on his Instagram story.
“Don’t wanna hear a word; everything on twin all year,” Durant wrote.
Thompson is entering the final season of his previous contract with the Rockets, which will see him earn $12.3 million in 2026-27 and jump to $35.8 million in 2027-28.
This means Amen Thompson is expected to earn the same salary in 2027-28 as his former teammate, Jalen Green, despite being drafted two years later. Thompson’s former Rockets teammate, Jalen Green, reacted to the news on social media with a heart emoji.
Kevin Durant took a pay cut last summer so that the Rockets could reward their young core with solid contract extensions. So naturally, as a teammate, Durant feels he deserves a yearlong party for Thompson’s momentous occasion.
Durant joined the Rockets last summer in a blockbuster trade that sent Jalen Green to the Suns. Right after Durant landed in Houston, Thompson earned his respect by seeing Durant’s scoring prowess as a chance for him to improve his defensive skills. Over time, the duo has developed strong mutual admiration.
While Durant’s arrival has helped Thompson work on his defence, the veteran leader should also mentor Thompson on his offensive skills and shot-making technique.
According to former NBA player Joe Johnson, Amen Thompson’s only weakness is his jump shot, which could cost him dearly if he doesn’t work on it consistently.
“All he should be doing is putting up jump shots, you know, this summer. I mean, because look, that tells me one thing. The Houston Rockets really believe that he is like that. You know, invest that type of money into you. Come on, bro. You got to develop this jumper. They’re going to need that,” Joe Johnson said on the Night Cap podcast with Shannon Sharpe.
Amen Thompson averaged only 21.6% from the three-point range last season, and most of his field goals were dunks and finishes near the rim. But the good news is that the Rockets have also hired a new shooting coach in July, who could focus on helping him fix his jump shot.
In his first season with the Rockets, Durant saw a lot of double-teams in crucial situations because teams were able to wear off Amen Thompson as a kickout risk in the paint and put pressure on the 37-year-old.
If Durant can work on a play or a system with Thompson on how to navigate those situations, then the sky is the limit for the Rockets’ offense. So, as the veteran mentor on this young team, it will be interesting to see whether Kevin Durant helps Amen Thompson work on his offense this season.