Nets’ Jalen Wilson is a player to watch in 2024-25

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun has been the subject of trade rumors lately, as Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that the New York Knicks have been interested in trading for the Turkish center as of late.

Sengun was the star of Houston’s 41-41 season, and the team’s leader in points per game and rebounds per game, averaging 21.1 points and 9.3 rebounds. The 21-year-old immediately made an impact in Houston after being selected in the 2022 draft.

The Rockets have been in the midst of a rebuild since James Harden left in 2021. They’ve signed players with elite potential, including Sengun, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard. Solid free-agent signings like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks are there to support those young players with experienced leadership.

It’s clear that a culture is being built in Houston. Led by coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets have emphasized defense and energy, while using young players to run in transition. Trading your star player, and an efficient one at that, wouldn’t make sense for a team that has a big window to make the playoffs. Sengun could be the guy to help them get there with this team.

The Rockets have improved every year, going from a bottom-of-the-pack team to a play-in contender with the potential to make the play-in in 2024-25. Trading Sengun would be a game-changer and too big a risk. Unless they get an offer from Godfather, talks with New York to trade Sengun should stop.

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