This post was originally published on this site.
“He’s basically untouchable,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says of the potential trade availability of third-year Rockets prospect Amen Thompson.
For months, speculation has swirled as to whether the Houston Rockets might pursue a trade for All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s under the assumption that the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) eventually asks for a trade away from the struggling Milwaukee Bucks.
But if the Rockets hypothetically had interest, and if such a blockbuster ever reached the negotiating phase, one thing is becoming clear: Third-year prospect Amen Thompson is unlikely to be part of any deal.
In a recent question-and-answer session on Threads, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst was asked whether Thompson or Alperen Sengun would “cost more” in the trade market. Windhorst replied:
Amen, but it’s irrelevant because he’s basically untouchable. Sengun is probably (untouchable), too… but the list of who the Rockets would entertain a deal discussion with him is maybe a few names longer.
Thompson, 22, is averaging a 17.8 points (51.1% FG), 7.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season. His scoring total is a career-high, and he remains a highly impactful defender after earning All-Defensive First Team honors last season.
At 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds, Thompson has an ideal blend of size, power, and athleticism that allows him to play at and guard numerous positions. After operating mostly in off-ball wing roles during his first two seasons, he’s now taking on point-guard responsibilities, as well, due to Fred VanVleet’s offseason knee injury.
Sengun earned All-Star honors in 2024-25, his fourth professional season, and the big man appears on course to do so again in 2025-26. But as a prospect, it’s clear the Rockets don’t view Thompson as being far behind, and his growth is still very much in progress.
Furthermore, the versatility of Thompson’s skill set could perhaps give him the most upside of anyone on Houston’s current roster.
That’s seemingly made him off limits to the rest of the NBA, even if talks hypothetically involved someone as accomplished as the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo.
For 2025-26, the NBA’s in-season trade deadline is Thursday, Feb. 5. With Thompson and Sengun in key roles, the current version of the Rockets is 20-10 while holding the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference standings.