Rockets’ Alperen Sengun set to be traded?

The Houston Rockets are looking to make some big changes in the near future. It’s no secret that the franchise is ready to become a competitive team, and they’re going to have to make some tough decisions to get there if they want to speed up that process.

Obviously, the team is also going through a strange time in its rebuild. It has a young core centered around Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun — though it will likely have to pick one of those two to build the offense around. Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and others also round out a strong young core. Add in players who are winning now like Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet and the team is in a strange spot in terms of roster construction.

Could the team turn Sengun into an immediate win move? ESPN’s Zach Lowe discussed the potential of trading the Rockets’ center on his show.

“When there was even a hint of Şengün being available on the market, and I don’t know if he was ever really available, but there were teams that were really, really interested in getting into that auction,” Lowe said.

If the Rockets decide it’s time to make a winning trade, Sengun is an interesting player to give up. His defense leaves a lot to be desired, but his offense can transform a team. He’s young enough to warrant a team trading a star, which allows them to start a rebuild.

For a reasonable price, Houston could sign a player who would help them get closer to competing while giving the team a distinct defensive identity. The offensive style would change slightly, but the Rockets could rely on a solid defense and give themselves a chance to retool the offense to potentially improve their shooting and help the team make the playoffs.

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