Alperen Sengun Extension Still Possible?
Last week, Rockets beat writer Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reported that there was a "legitimate chance" that the Rockets and budding star center Alperen Sengun could come to terms on a contract extension. Sengun himself had said on Monday, at media day that he and the team had been talking, and that he wanted to get an extension done, and that he was still hopeful. The report comes as a bit of a surprise given the financial ramifications from such a deal. The Rockets have less than three weeks now, before the start of the 2024-2025 regular season, to come to terms with Sengun and Jalen Green.
As Feigen explains, the wide gap between Sengun's "cap hold" ($16.3 million) based on his $5.4 million salary next season and the amount he could earn annually based on an extension has bearing upon the team's plans in free agency next summer. Houston can open up maximum cap space next offseason if parting ways with several free agents (including starting point guard Fred VanVleet who has a team option on his contract). In theory, the Rockets could carry Sengun's low "cap hold" into the summer, utilize the extra room upon a free agent, and then sign Sengun. This is the maneuver the Philadelphia 76ers used last offseason in acquiring All-Star forward Paul George while retaining All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. The same motivations do not apply to Green given that he has a cap hold of $31.2 million.
Still, there could be relational reasons to come to terms early with Sengun, even if not needed. It could display faith and confidence from the organization in a player it views as a cornerstone. From his draft class, Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, and Franz Wagner all received maximum contract extensions this off-season. Sengun has arguably outperformed all of them in his three year NBA career.
Last year, Sengun drew comparisons to Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic, posting over 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. The former 16th overall pick was in early All-Star conversations during the first half of the season after he led the Rockets to a surprising start. It was quite the change for Sengun under first-year head coach Ime Udoka from his experience under former Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. Sengun was the primary option on offense for much of the season and the primary focal point for the team during crunch time.
If the Rockets and Sengun came to an agreement before October 21, it would mean that the concerns the organization had regarding Sengun's defense had lessened. The big man had taken major strides defensively last season under Udoka, helping the team finish in the top ten in defensive ranking for the full season. The Rockets had tried aggressively to acquire Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez last offseason, presumably to start in front of Sengun. It has been no secret that the front office has preferred a rim running, defensive-oriented center. Sengun may have just been good enough to overcome those preferences.
