With reports that the Houston Rockets are unlikely to offer max contract extensions to 2021 draft picks Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, the Rockets could find themselves without two of their best scorers in the near future.
“We are waiting. My managers are negotiating with them,” Sengun tells Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı (h/t Eurohoops).
“I don’t become a free agent next year. This year, teams can’t make offers to me. Next year, other teams can make offers. They can offer a maximum of four-year contracts, but my team, Houston, can offer me a five-year contract. Next year, I could get four-year offers worth $180 million, $200 million. Those will be the prices.”
“This year, Houston doesn’t have to sign with me,” Sengun finishes, “but if they don’t, those offers will come next year.”
Rockets’ Alperen Sengun Comes Clean About Contract Extension
Both Green and Sengun can become restricted free agents next season if the Rockets extend a qualifying offer to them. If not, they’ll become unrestricted free agents. Whether a restricted or unrestricted free agent, they could sign with any team. However, as restricted free agents, Houston has the right to match any contract offer that they sign within 24 hours.
Typically, teams like to lock in their most talented young players rather than let them become restricted free agents. Just this summer, that led to Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, and Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley signing max contract extensions. Barnes, Cunningham, and Mobley were selected in the 2021 NBA Draft as well.
This could give Green and Sengun leverage in contract negotiations, as Barnes, Cunningham, and Mobley have also had trouble with injuries and consistency.
Winning Is The Bottom Line
As Houston has adopted a different offseason approach than the Raptors or Cavs, they may not value young talent the same way though.
Looking to accelerate their rebuild, the Rockets gave oversized contracts to veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks last summer. That mindset carried over to this offseason, with nine-time All-Star Paul George on their wishlist. The Rockets are also chasing stars on the trade market, with Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant among the players they’ve had their eyes on.
Ime Udoka’s defensive-minded coaching is another factor.
Sengun is arguably the weakest link of the defense due to his relatively average strength, length, and athleticism. Consequently, he doesn’t offer much as a rim-protector and has had trouble guarding out in space. Due to how talented he is offensively, it’s easier to have patience with or acceptance of his defensive shortcomings. Nonetheless, the goal for every team should be constant improvement.
As a result, Sengun could become expendable if Houston identifies a pivot who can excel at both ends.
There aren’t many players who are in that mold. However, Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner —who’ll be a free agent next season —does. If LeBron James opts out and retires in 2025, Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis could become available. Even Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. could be targeted, as his contract expires in 2026.
For the Rockets, winning is the bottom line. With that being said, if Houston doesn’t want to pony up the cash for Sengun, the Turkish center will likely have several suitors. Those teams may look at the success that the Denver Nuggets have had with Nikola Jokic and determine that they don’t need a dominant defensive center to become champions.
