via Imago
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Houston Rockets Center Alperen Sengun 28 reacts to a call during a NBA, Basketball Herren, USA game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 15, 2023 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire NBA: JAN 15 Rockets at Clippers Icon230115042
via Imago
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Houston Rockets Center Alperen Sengun 28 reacts to a call during a NBA, Basketball Herren, USA game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 15, 2023 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire NBA: JAN 15 Rockets at Clippers Icon230115042
The Houston Rockets made a solid leap from a rough 22-60 season in 2022-2023 to a decent 41-41 last year. Sure, bringing in guys like Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet helped, but let’s not sleep on the young guns like Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green. These rising stars stepped up big time, proving they’re ready to play and drive the team’s bounce-back. Now, the Houston Rockets are at a major crossroads with their young guns, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, both set to get rookie contract extensions.
With 15 players already locked in, including the fresh addition Aaron Holiday, the team’s in a decent spot but now faces a big decision. ESPN’s Zach Lowe and sports commentator Bobby Marks talked about Alperen Şengün’s contract extension on The Lowe Podcast. Lowe shared his approach as if he were Sengun’s agent: “Hey, look, prove to me that Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Franz Wagner… Alperen Sengun has outperformed all those dudes.” Sengun had a spectacular outing last season, averaging over 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, it’s clear he’s made a serious case for the $200 million extension.
Even though Lowe argues that Sengun has outperformed guys like Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes, it’s not a slam dunk. Cunningham averaged 22 points and 7 assists and Barnes had over 19 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds. So yeah, Sengun’s ahead right now, but it’s no guarantee that things won’t shift next season. That said if Sengun wants to lock down the contract extension, he should emphasize that he’s outshining these other young stars.
“If you had to just predict, which of these two [Jalen Green and Alpren Sengun] is likely to get an extension if either of them does before the season, who would you pick?” Lowe asked Bobby Marks on the podcast. Without hesitation, Bobby said Sengun and both agreed. This wasn’t without reason.
“Up and down” – Zach Lowe highlights Jalen Green’s inconsistency
Jalen Green’s value is all about his scoring ability. However, he hasn’t nailed down that consistency or efficiency. Green showed potential in the 2022-2023 season, averaging a career-high 22 points and 3.7 assists, but then his numbers slid last season to 19 points and 3 assists.
Zach Lowe summed up Jalen Green’s rollercoaster of a performance perfectly. “I feel like I know what he is, and Jalen Green has been so up and down. With wildly amazing ups and wildly frustrating downs, which you would expect a guy, I think who is 22 years old. playing an alpha-ish role on what has been mostly a bad team.” Green lit up the scoreboard with 42 points against the Wizards in the 2022-2023 season. This past season, though, he hit a rough patch. He ended the season with his lowest shooting percentage of 42%, which underscores Lowe’s point.
But on the bright side, he’s just 21 and has plenty of time to figure things out. His highlight reels are stacked with some jaw-dropping plays that scream potential. However, right now, Sengun is the more consistent performer and has the edge in terms of overall game. If it comes down to choosing between the two for an extension, Sengun is likely to get the nod, given his current reliability and impact.
What’s your take on this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Debate
Should Alperen Sengun really belittle Cade Cunningham to secure his $200 million deal? Is this fair play?