Victor Wembanyama hasn’t even played in the regular season this year, and he’s already the favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2025-26 season. The San Antonio Spurs star is regarded as the next generation’s premier defender: a player capable of altering every shot and dominating the paint, throwing opponents’ plans for a loop.

But on the Zach Lowe Show, NBA legend Steve Nash threw a curveball. Lowe, who was prepared for the obvious answer, was ready to impose restrictions: “I thought I was going to have to reframe the question to be, if you’re not allowed to pick Wembanyama… who are you picking?” Nash’s answer caught him by surprise. “I’m going to say Amen Thompson,” he said, and the pick immediately sparked interest from Lowe. Why pick Kevin Durant’s new teammate when Wembanyama averaged almost four blocks per game?

Nash laid out his reasoning, saying, “I just think his motor, his versatility, athleticism… Ime is going to push that team to defend as he always does. He’s going to be needed even more this year to defend, and I think it’s going to be highlighted.”

Head coach Ime Udoka’s defensive schemes have become deeply ingrained in Houston’s identity, and Amen Thompson embodies that vision perfectly. His ability to guard multiple positions and consistently take on the most challenging assignments reflects the very foundation of Udoka’s system. As the Rockets, now led offensively by Kevin Durant, push for a top-four finish in the West, Thompson is expected to emerge as their defensive anchor- the player tasked with setting the tone on that end of the floor every night.

Thompson’s credentials back up Nash’s choice. In 2024-25, the guard earned All-Defensive First Team honors while averaging 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, posting a defensive rating of 107.9. Peers across the league have already taken note, with former DPOY and ex-Durant teammate Draymond Green calling him “a defensive animal,” and Stephen Curry labelling him “a dawg… he’s gonna be a problem” after facing him in the round one Rockets-Warriors series last year.

What makes Nash’s pick intriguing is his framing of defense as more than rim protection and blocks. “Victor is going to control the paint. He’s going to make lots of blocked shots… but Amen’s going to be spotlighted defensively,” Nash said.

Thompson’s impact shows up throughout the floor, with high-intensity effort as he fights over screens and chases ball handlers. This brand of defense might not show up in box scores, but it is still crucial for Houston‘s success.

Why Amen Thompson Could Dominate DPOY Conversations This Season

Steve Nash also highlighted that this version of Thompson might not be his best. “He can take another step defensively, I think, with his IQ and his versatility,” Nash said, explaining that Thompson is still a young player getting reps and another jump in ability.

This, combined with Thompson’s ability to read the floor and break plays, makes him an ever-present disruptor, influencing possessions in ways that don’t appear in traditional statistics. Thompson will also be looked at at the run point, with Fred VanVleet sidelined.

His responsibilities extend to higher-pressure moments, like guarding Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler last year in the playoffs and taking on superstar assignments nightly during the regular season.

Nash said, “He’s going to have to cover the best player at the end of games. He’s going to do all the things that make him so versatile and highlight his athleticism.” On a Rockets team where Kevin Durant takes the offensive load, Thompson can focus his ability on the defensive end and make life harder for opposing ball-handlers.

Nash ended with a bold prediction for the future: “Maybe he’s the last Defensive Player of the Year for the next 10 years not named Victor Wembanyama.” With his next-level versatility and multi-positional coverage, Thompson could be a dark-horse candidate for Defensive Player of the Year if circumstances favor him.