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The Houston Rockets have informed rival front offices that second-year forward Amen Thompson is untouchable in potential trade discussions despite the team's interest in acquiring a star player, sources told ESPN. Thompson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting this season.

Thompson's scoring average jumped from 9.5 points as a rookie to 14.1 points in his sophomore campaign. His defensive prowess and offensive improvement have solidified his status as a cornerstone piece for Houston's rebuilding efforts. Thompson was ranked 17th on Bill Simmons' Trade Value list as recently as late January.

Team executives internally compare the 6-foot-7 Thompson's ceiling to Russell Westbrook in his prime, despite Thompson's developing jump shot. The organization has not yet fully deployed him as a lead ball-handler but remains open to expanding his role.

Thompson demonstrated his clutch potential in January against the Boston Celtics when Ime Udoka entrusted him with the final possession. Thompson beat Jaylen Brown in isolation to hit the game-winning floater, capping a 33-point performance.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone expressed confidence in Thompson's rapid development trajectory.

"He's already become a really good NBA player," Stone said. "He should be much, much better than this year next year, and that should go on for the foreseeable future. Great kid, works really hard, is really smart. Everything we've asked him to do, he's done. He's done it quickly and at times shockingly easily."

"There's no question in my mind that there are multiple guys on this roster now who can potentially be the best player on a championship team, given their age," Patrick Fertitta told ESPN late in the regular season. "You don't see guys at this age be that person yet, but I have a lot of confidence that one of these guys, if not a few of them, can become that."

Via Tim MacMahon/ESPN

This is preposterous if sincere, but wise if a negotiating tactic.

I thought Luka was untouchable too.

There are already setting the bar for a Giannis trade.

"Don't think you're getting all the picks if Amen is involved".

Honestly, HOU has the ammo to get a Giannis deal done without Amen. So the only questions are: Does Giannis ask for a trade? And is HOU on his list?

kenwood3333 wrote:I thought Luka was untouchable too.

that's a you thing. not everyone thought that

beefman wrote:

kenwood3333 wrote:I thought Luka was untouchable too.

that's a you thing. not everyone thought that

And that is a you thing. Almost everyone thought he was untouchable.

kenwood3333 wrote:I thought Luka was untouchable too.

i thought that about Kanye's cousin

the_process wrote:There are already setting the bar for a Giannis trade.

"Don't think you're getting all the picks if Amen is involved".

Honestly, HOU has the ammo to get a Giannis deal done without Amen. So the only questions are: Does Giannis ask for a trade? And is HOU on his list?

This is a good strategy.

I would still wager nepo baby, Patrick Ferttita -- "ownership's day-to-day presence in basketball operations" -- will mess this team up at some point with meddling.

Patrick Fertitta was named to the Athletic's NBA under 40 list last summer. Unlike the other 39 names in the article, no work history or notable accomplishments were mentioned about the owner’s son."

From a local ABC affiliate in Houston:

'At the end of the day, we know we have to cut out our own place in this world,' said Patrick Fertitta, age 23, who just graduated from USC. 'We have to work hard for everything we get.'
The Fertitta sons described themselves as two of Dad's toughest critics who supported his decision to buy a professional basketball team. They said stay tuned for big changes they are overseeing at the arena. 'You're going to see a transformation at the Toyota Center. There is no secret, it is 15 years old.'

Their first stadium change was to "remove all the players from the tunnel mural (except Harden and Paul) and replace them with Tilman Fertitta and his family, along with head coach Mike D'Antoni"

The team has orchestrated an excellent rebuild, but -- like with Dallas -- I am skeptical of it being a house of cards under the Fertitta's leadership.

beefman wrote:

kenwood3333 wrote:I thought Luka was untouchable too.

that's a you thing. not everyone thought that

bad attempt at revisionist history.