Alperen Sengun has always been an intriguing prospect to follow
since he entered the NBA. Acquired by the Houston Rockets during
the 2021 NBA Draft for two future first-round picks likely to
convey in 2023 (via the Wizards) and 2025 (via the Pistons), Sengun
instantly became an integral piece to the next chapter post-James
Harden.
Exiting the Harden era, Houston is in the midst of a full-scale
rebuild, building around young players such as No. 2 overall pick
Jalen Green and Sengun. With Green sidelined due to injury, Sengun
is beginning to take the spotlight and shine under the bright
lights.
As a unique, throwback player, Sengun brings a crafty style to
the basketball court based around footwork in the post, savvy
playmaking and strong rebounding ability. Recently against the
Milwaukee Bucks, Sengun's interior footwork was dazzling to watchm
as he continously punished his matchup around the basket on
countless possessions. Eventually, Bucks head coach Mike
Budenholzer had to adjust and put Giannis Antetokounmpo on Sengun.
A small moment, but one that provides a glimpse into a potential
future outcome for the Rockets' rookie.
Expected to have an adjustment period to the NBA after winning
the Turkish League MVP at age-18, not many expectations were laid
upon Sengun in Year 1 — especially as a reserve big man. Recently
though, he’s flashing an extremely high ceiling that has many
within the Rockets organization giddy for his next developmental
steps.
Sengun’s season averages don’t scream "breakout campaign," but,
when placed into a per-36 minute workload, it changes the equation:
17.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.5 blocks
while carrying a 57.9% True Shooting percentage.
Ready for a crazy statistic revolving around Sengun? Here are
the only players joining the Turkish rookie amassing at least 9
rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block per 36 minutes: Giannis and
Draymond Green.
If Sengun is allowed to further spread his wings later this
season, there’s a real trajectory path to him becoming a member of
the First-Team All-Rookie lineup. Sure, there will be some
ups-and-downs in terms of inconsistency along the way, but the
bright spots make up for all of it.
There is something in the way of Sengun receiving heavy minutes
however — the two bigs currently ahead of him on the Rockets’ depth
chart: Christian Wood and Daniel Theis, a pair of veterans who are
heavily mentioned in trade talks around the Association. Our own
Nekias Duncan recently wrote a piece regarding potential destinations for Wood,
who would be an instant-impact piece on a legitimate playoff
contender. Theis is another piece who could help boost the depth of
a contender as well, providing floor-spacing and defensive
versatility.
Sengun’s ceiling already looks similar to ones we’ve seen enter
the NBA before. Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Vucevic
all play a similar game as the young Sengun. If the Rockets
properly construct a versatile roster around Sengun, he could help
the organization reap significant benefits soon enough.
Houston’s goal is to construct a sustainable winner with
multiple hits on draft picks. Green looks the part of a future
25-point-per-game scorer. Sengun could be the hub of an entire
offensive system, a la Sabonis. Kevin Porter Jr. is an offensive
spark plug himself. Jae’Sean Tate, Josh Christopher and Usman
Garuba all look like valuable depth pieces of the next great
Rockets era as well. Houston still has considerable distance to
being a real threat in the Western Conference playoff picture, but
the foundation is coming along together at a quicker pace than
expected.
If the Rockets are lucky again in the lottery, could you imagine
Auburn’s Jabari Smith alongside Sengun
providing defense and transition scoring? What about Duke’s Paolo
Banchero as a frontcourt partner for Sengun? This was initially
expected to be a rebuild that lasts awhile, but one or two moves
could truly change the whole equation. Having a big man like Sengun
as an anchor is a very promising start to it all, and one who can
seemingly provide a little bit of everything on the basketball
court for the Rockets.
The buzz around Sengun is palpable, and he’s slowly but surely
making his way up the top rookie ladder. By season’s end, Sengun
could be alongside Evan Mobley and Cade Cunningham for Rookie of
the Year honors — particularly if he's given more of a runway, with
Wood and Theis moved elsewhere.