ESPN’s Tim MacMahon predicts Rockets will split up talented young duo

Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green were both drafted in the same year, albeit with very different expectations, based on their draft positions.

Green was the Rockets’ second overall pick in 2021, their first draft pick of the rebuild. Sengun, on the other hand, was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 16th pick, only to be traded to the Houston Rockets, in a deal the Thunder likely wouldn’t do again, given a chance to do it again.

Sengun and Green have each shown promising signs during their three seasons in Houston, giving Rockets fans reason to be excited about the duo’s ability to play alongside each other.

However, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, who covers the Rockets, doesn’t think that’s going to happen. MacMahon took to the Lowe Post to share his thoughts.

“The fact that negotiations with Sengun and Green have been slow is interesting. I would be surprised if either of those deals were done before the start of the season.

I’ve said this a few times, and people haven’t necessarily been thrilled about it, but I don’t expect Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun to be a part of the long-term landscape in Houston. I think it might be one or the other, but not both.”

MacMahon stressed that the Rockets’ stockpile of young talent should not be viewed as a long-term talent concoction.

“They’re not all going to be there long term. You just have to manage the finances.”

Lowe noted that Sengun’s market would be robust, depending on how many teams line up for his services this offseason.

“When there was even a trace of Sengun being available on the market, and I don’t know if he was ever really available, but there were teams that were really interested in that offer.”

Lowe also noted that the Rockets’ contract negotiations with Sengun and Green could get “spicy.”

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