Houston’s got a gem in Alperen Sengun, and the Rockets just locked him down with a massive deal that’ll keep him in H-Town for years to come.
Sengun’s Big Payday
So, here’s the scoop: Alperen Sengun, the Rockets’ young center, just inked a five-year, $185 million rookie extension. His agents, Sean Kennedy and Jeff Schwartz, spilled the beans on Monday. The deal kicks off next season and, get this, includes a player option for the 2029-30 season. That’s some serious cheddar! Monday was the cutoff for extending contracts with first-round picks from the 2021 draft class, or else they’d hit restricted free agency in 2025. Sengun’s move makes him the first since Luka Doncic and Trae Young to snag a five-year rookie extension with a player option. Not too shabby for a 22-year-old who finished third in the Most Improved Player voting last season.
Houston center Alperen Sengun has agreed on a five-year, $185 million rookie extension, his agents Sean Kennedy and Jeff Schwartz of @excelbasketball, tells ESPN. The contract includes a player option in the last year.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42)
From OKC to H-Town
Let’s rewind a bit. Sengun was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. But before he could even unpack his bags, he was traded to the Rockets. Talk about a whirlwind start! This pick originally belonged to the Boston Celtics as part of the Kemba Walker-Al Horford swap. Last season, Sengun started all 63 games he played, putting up career highs across the board: 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Plus, he shot a solid 53.7% from the field. Unfortunately, an ankle injury cut his season short in March, but not before he made a name for himself as a breakout star.
Setting Records and Making Waves
Sengun wasn’t just racking up stats; he was making history. He finished the season ranked 14th in rebounds per game and 17th in box plus/minus. His player efficiency rating of 22 was a personal best. In December 2023, he joined the likes of Blake Griffin and Shaquille O’Neal as one of the few players to average at least 29 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists over a three-game stretch before turning 22. Over those games, he was lights out, shooting 52.5% from the floor and 40% from downtown. I think it’s safe to say Sengun is in some pretty elite company.
Coach Udoka’s Take
Rockets coach Ime Udoka had nothing but praise for Sengun after his stellar season. “The talent level is real,” Udoka said. “He’s improved defensively across the board, and he’s not even close to reaching his ceiling.” High praise from a coach who knows a thing or two about talent. According to Basketball-Reference, Sengun is projected to average 21.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists this season. He’s also expected to shoot over 54% from the field. With Sengun and Jalen Green both securing long-term deals, the Rockets are building something special.
So, what do you think? Could Sengun be the key to Houston’s future success, or is there still more work to be done?
