A major step forward for the future of the Houston Rockets: The team agreed Monday to sign center Alperen Sengun to a five-year, $185 million contract extension. The announcement came via a statement.
Of course, being only 22, Sengun fast-forwarded to becoming a type of jack-of-all-trades big man. With the ability to possess truly elite footwork, passing, and basketball IQ, this Turkish center has always seen flashing brilliance ever since Houston drafted him back in 2021. The combination of size and agility with a playmaking ability does compare him with some of the best international centers that are currently in existence.
This contract extension over Sengun is the long-term plan by the Rockets to rebuild a competitive team around its young core. And with Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. both continuing to grow into potential franchise cornerstones, this contract is quite the testament to the Rockets’ intent to maintain the brains of their top talent together. By locking Sengun up for the next five years, Houston is helping build stability and continuity as it continues down the rebuilding process.
In that context, Sengun’s contract extension is well-deserved. He’s proven himself to be one of the best bigs in the league and showed his potential this season, averaging 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. This output explains his all-around potential for his team. It is rare to see big men adapt to run pick and roll in the post or create for others because of mid-range shooting ability.
The $185 million extension spots him among the top-paid centers in the league, a gesture that speaks to where the Rockets value him within their organization. This contract is also an enormous investment into the franchise, as it suggests that they perceive Sengun as a core piece that will help push this team toward playoff relevance in the future.
For Sengun, the extension is another huge landmark in his career in the NBA. He was taken 16th overall in the draft for the 2021 NBA Draft and adapted quickly to the pulse and physicality of the game in the NBA. But with how he developed very quickly, there is already hope among analysts and fans alike that Sengun might just be on his way to becoming an All-Star.
With that deal in place, Sengun will be able to focus primarily on the task at hand: improving his game and helping the Rockets move forward as a team. As Houston looks to improve upon last season, it would help to have Sengun out there–his presence in the lineup will be huge in defining what kind of team this Rockets outfit will be on both sides of the floor.
It’s a win-win for the Rockets and Sengun as the young franchise locks up a bright young star, while Sengun solidifies his standing as a key piece of the future of Houston. For the Rockets, the next few years will be incredibly important and, with Sengun at the helm, one can’t wait to see the team get back to respectability in the tough Western Conference.
