Houston Rockets Center Alperen Şengün is in the midst of his best statistical season. Şengün is averaging a career-high 21.7 points and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 54.4% from the field in 48 outings. Alperen Şengün’s statistical success has led some media to include him in the conversation of future NBA stars.
JJ Redick of ESPN believes Alperen Şengün will have multiple All-Star appearances during his career:.
“I feel like this is a guy who’s going to make 8-9 All-Star games, multiple All-NBA teams .. if the Rockets build this thing right, [he’ll] be in the conversation for at least top 5-6 for MVP – I believe this guy is that good.”
Alperen Şengün’s role within Ime Udoka’s offense
Although Şengün’s performance deserves praise on the surface, his current role on the Houston Rockets indicates those numbers aren’t as impressive. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has Alperen Şengün received the ball anywhere between the elbow and three-point line.
Once he receives the ball, Şengün immediately looks to a handoff sequence with a perimeter player. For example, Alperen Şengün received a pass from Fred VanVleet as he stood on the three-point line early in the first quarter of a home game against the Lakers.
Upon receiving the ball, Jalen Green ran over to start a handoff sequence. Şengün role has contributed to him only averaging 2.28 seconds per touch, 6th on the team. After Alperen Şengün hands the ball off, he becomes a roll man in the Rockets offense.
For example, Şengün stood in place for a few seconds after handing the ball to Green before rolling to the basket. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the ball as Green chose to lay the ball in to end the possessions.
Although Şengün didn’t score, he was credited with the assists. His current role has contributed to him passing the ball to Green 25.3 percent of the time, averaging 9.8 per game. Alperen Şengün’s simple passes to Green have resulted in 1.1 assists per game this season, 21.5% of his assists.
Udoka’s usage of Alperen Şengün has significantly increased his roll-man possessions this season. He is spending 27.3% of his possessions as a roll man, averaging 5.7 per game. Alperen Şengün roll man possessions have increased 83.9% as he averaged 3.1 per game last season.
The uptick in possessions has paid dividends, as he is shooting a career-high 56.3% from the field on 4.7 attempts per game. Şengün’s efficiency has led him to average 6.5 points per game in the play type, 30% of his scoring output.
The Steven Adams factor
Despite his success, Şengün should not be viewed as a franchise player for the Houston Rockets because of the simplicity of the role. Houston can replace Şengün by elevating newly acquired Steven Adams into the starting lineup next season.
Adams has experience with one aspect of Şengün’s current offensive. He has 19.3% of his offensive possessions as a roll-man averaging 2 per game since 2015. Steven Adams is shooting 65.2% on 1.6 attempts, averaging 2.4 points per game.
Alperen Şengün is a trade asset
Consequently, the Houston Rockets should leverage Alperen Şengün’s increased fame and notoriety to include him in a trade package for stars who become available this offseason. For example, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is reportedly exploring the possibility of leaving the organization.
Matt Moore of the Action Network stated on January 10th that Young would like to play with Victor Wembanyama.
A more interesting question is if the Spurs and Hawks would have interest in a deal for Young. League sources have suggested that Young’s camp would be open — if he is traded, which is a significant clause here — to pairing Young with Victor Wembanyama. The two teams have already done a big trade for Murray, obviously, and Atlanta would surely be interested in getting back some of the draft picks it sent the Spurs for Murray.
Trae Young’s wandering eye pressures the Hawks to decide if he is a part of their long-term plans. If Atlanta wants to build around him, they will trade Dejounte Murray for assets that mesh better with Young.
On the other hand, if the organization realizes they must part ways with Young, they could trade both players. A potential destination for Murray or Young is Houston, as they need to improve their scoring output. The Rockets are 17th in points from the guard position, averaging 57.4 points per game.
Houston’s below-average production from the guard position has contributed to the team being 21st in overall scoring, averaging 113.9 points per game in 48 outings. Consequently, Houston can use Alperen Şengün as one of the centerpieces in trade proposals to Atlanta, as the team has Adams on the roster.
Atlanta reportedly asks for two first-round picks and a player of value in a Murray trade. Houston can send Alperen Şengün, Jeff Green, 2025, and 2027 first-round picks from the Brooklyn Nets to Atlanta.
In conclusion, Alperen Şengün’s role within the Houston Rockets’ offense makes him more of a trade asset than a star for the franchise.
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