Rockets to explore Alperen Sengun trade if they suffer early playoff exit vs. Lakers

The Rockets could reportedly look to move Alperen Sengun this summer for a like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, or Donovan Mitchell if they suffer an early playoff exit.

Despite being labeled as heavy favorites in the first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, who are dealing without two main stars in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Houston Rockets seem to have dug themselves a hole, being 0-2 after the first two games.

Houston Rockets / Schedule

Many of Houston’s players and head coach Ime Udoka have already received strong criticism from fans and experts after a lackluster start to the series, among whom is Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun.

While Sengun is averaging 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists, he is nowhere near having the impact the team was expecting so far from him, both on the offensive and especially defensive end of the court, with Lakers role players like Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, and Deandre Ayton looking to be bigger difference makers so far in the series.

With that being said, Sengun will deal with big pressure to put on his A game in the rest of the series as, according to William Guillory of the Athletic, a potential move could be on the horizon, with Sengun potentially traded if the Rockets suffer an early playoff exit.

“After the injuries to Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, the ‘championship-or-bust’ demands have cooled down, but that doesn’t mean getting bounced in the first round by a Luka Doncic-less Lakers is anything other than a disaster,” Guillory writes ahead of Game 3 of the Rockets – Lakers series.

“The ripple effects of that kind of failure would naturally put the Rockets back in the forefront of the sweepstakes for another potential franchise-changing trade over the summer.”

“And it would be fairly easy for some to point out the lackluster performance of former Rockets guard Jalen Green in last year’s playoffs, which ended with him being shipped to the Phoenix Suns in the Durant deal.”

“There will be no shortage of fans and media who connect the dots and say Sengun could follow in Green’s steps as a young piece that gets sent away because he wasn’t ready to compete for a championship now,” he stated.

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“Giannis Antetokounmpo will be a name many connect to Houston as a potential superstar who could be acquired in a Sengun trade. Kawhi Leonard or Donovan Mitchell could also be possibilities.”

“If Houston makes Sengun available, along with some of the future draft picks they hold, it would put them squarely among the favorites to acquire any of the disgruntled superstars who may become available,” Guillory added.

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