Should Rockets Trade Alperen Şengün? Millionaire Sports Mogul Raises Summer Concern For Houston’s 21YO Sensation

Jan 23, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts after a made basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Rockets have lit up the playoff fever with their recent dominant stretch. After an underwhelming run this season, the H-Town produced a hot streak by winning 8 games in a row. Importantly, the team managed to pull this off in the absence of star center, Alperen Sengun. The 22-year-old Jalen Green pressed the gas and anchored the team’s dream run to give playoff hopes. In the meantime, it left the sports commentators with a question: Should the Rockets continue to back Sengun?
The 21-year-old Turkish baller turned into a player to watch out for with his physicality, dominance near the rim, and ability to score. However, Sengun’s prowess didn’t produce the current hot streak. It was Green’s athleticism and shooting prowess, that brought them this far. Addressing the situation, Bill Simmons, the millionaire sports host, made a shocking trade pitch in the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast. He put forward a question to the Rockets’ GM to take this decision in the coming off-season.
USA Today via Reuters Mar 23, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reacts after a made basket against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Alperen Sengun had his breakout season this year, averaging 21.1 points with 9.3 rebounds per game. These stats easily made him the most valuable asset in the Rockets roster. Unfortunately, he was taken off the court in a wheelchair with an ankle injury in March 10. At that time, they were nowhere closer to making it to the playoffs and now, they are just a game away from pulling down the Warriors from the 10th sport.
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As the Rockets managed to produce this magic without their cherished asset, Simmons plunged forward with the trade talk. However, the millionaire’s co-host, Ryen Russillo compared the situation with Donovan Micthell-less Cleveland Cavaliers. Evan Mobley managed to produce something similar like Green, but it didn’t last long.
So before concluding, the duo decided to play a few more games to decide whether Green could continue his form.
When will Alperen Sengun return?
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In the late Sunday night game, Sengun suffered a bone bruise on his knee and a severe ankle sprain. Following the injury, many stated that the star has evaded a major injury. While it seemed like he will be out for the remainder of the season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a positive update.
In a recent episode of Hoop Collective podcast, Woj updated that the star center could return before the end of the regular season. While the Rockets are yet to finalize their playoff spot, the star’s return could turn things around for the H-Town.
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Will Sengun’s return weaken the current hot form? Let us know in the comments below.