ESPN recently released their 25 under 25, a list of players younger than 25 years that they believe have the biggest potential for stardom. Only two teams had more than two players on the list, but the Rockets had four representatives. We can easily say that the Houston Rockets core is the best young core in the league.
There were a few teams with two players like the OKC Thunder, Orlando Magic (three players), San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Houston Rockets Have the Best Young Core
Let’s take a look at the young Houston Rockets core and where they rank according to ESPN insiders.
Tari Eason at No. 24
According to the last reports coming out of the Rockets, Tari Eason is one of the two “untouchable” players on the roster. The young forward is 23 years old, and after being limited by leg injuries last season, he is thriving this year.
According to stats from ESPN, he has 3.2 steals and 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes, producing the NBA’s best defensive rating in plus-minus metric.
This year, his three-point accuracy is down to 31%, but his effective field goal percentage is up to 53.7%. His biggest improvement is in finishing, especially inside the arc.
Amen Thompson at No. 22
Amen Thompson is the second untouchable player on the Rockets roster. He has started only one game this season, but Thompson is closing games for the Rockets. His defensive versatility makes him impossible to ignore at the end of games.
With his size and versatility, Thompson can guard any position in the modern NBA and is the prototypical defensive player of the year candidate. As his shooting develops in the upcoming years, he will become even more dangerous in transition.
Out of the current core, Thompson might have the best chance to develop into a superstar. Some folks believe he can be their version of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Here is a fun stat. Amen in his second season: 11.8 points, 1.2 steals, 1 block, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. Giannis in his second season: 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1 block, and almost one steal. Similar to Giannis, there is no stat that jumps out, but he can do a bit of everything.
Jalen Green at No. 20
Jalen Green is 22 years old but will turn 23 in two months. He is one of the most polarizing players on the Rockets’ roster. Sometimes, he is impressive to watch, but his shot selection can make you go crazy. The Rockets gave him a contract extension this summer, but many experts believe that extension is to make him easier to trade. Whether Green will be part of the Houston Rockets core remains to be seen. So far this season, he is their leading scorer at 18.9 points per game, just itching Alperen Senguin at 18.8.
If Green ever finds a way to become an efficient scorer and a balanced shot-creator, he can be a superstar in this league. Whether that happens with the Rockets or another team, is up in the air. In any case, the Rockets can use him as a trade asset for a bigger star.
Alperen Sengun at No. 10
Speaking of their biggest star at the moment, Alperen Senguin is a triple-double threat on any given night. He had a breakout season in 2023-24, establishing himself as an offensive hub from the center position.
Sengun looks a lot like Nikola Jokic, but he has a few more seasons to develop that killer offensive game. While his efficiency is down this year, his defense has improved vastly. So far this season he is averaging a career-high 1.2 blocks per game and 10.9 rebounds per game.
The Other Rockets Youngsters
These four are not the only Houston Rockets young players that deserve a mention. We have to talk about Jabari Smith Jr., another wing that has the potential to be a star. He is only 21 years old and has the time to develop even more. This year, head coach Ime Udoka is running more plays for Smith, and the small forward has shown more confidence in himself.
We also have Cam Whitmore, a second-year forward who is having a lesser role this season. His minutes dropped from 18.7 to 9.9, but that is because Udoka is employing a more spread-out rotation this season. Whitmore can also be used either as a trade-chip or as a developmental project down the road. He is only 20 years old.
Last, but not least, there’s Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard, who experts claim is the best shooter in this year’s draft class. While Shepperd has not shown that yet, he is another young prospect the Rockets can develop.
Will the Rockets Trade for a Star?
The latest reports coming out of the Houston Rockets are that the team has no intention to break up their young core.
Yes, they do have plenty of assets to trade for a star who wants out of a troublesome situation. But for the time being, the Rockets will patiently see what their young core can develop into. It is not a guarantee that all four players mentioned in the ESPN 25 under 25 will be on the roster two years from now. They still have plenty of options for building their team in the next 10 years.
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