How Will Alperen Sengun Fit Into New Rockets System?
The Houston Rockets have made a lot of moves this offseason as they hired a new coach, drafted two high-profile players, signed two big-name free agents and were runner-ups in the Summer League.
Next season will look a lot different, but there are questions of how the players from last year's team will mesh with the new talent.
The Rockets 2022-23 season had many reasons why it should be forgotten. However, they finished the year with the NBA's second-most rebounds per game (55.9).
Rockets center Alperen Sengun was the catalyst for this remarkable statistic. Sengun averaged 9.0 rebounds per game, the 19th-most in the NBA. His 3.2 offensive rebounds per game were the fifth-most (four-way tie for fourth) in the league.
ESPN's Zach Lowe and Tim MacMahon acknowledged Sengun's rebounding expertise, but also offered their insight on how his other skills will mesh with the new Rockets.
"He's an efficient post player because he's strong, smart and has a nice touch," Lowe said. "Once he finds the right balance of when to go for his own and when to really lean into facilitator mode, I think he'll be a good enough offensive player that he'll just have to start."
Lowe believes offseason free agent point guard Fred VanVleet and Sengun will be able to create plays for other teammates.
"I think this year, a VanVleet-Sengun pick-and-roll will get Sengun catapulted into really favorable passing positions in the short roll," Lowe said. "He'll have to make the most of those situations by handing it off to Jalen Green or hitting Jabari Smith in the corner. I think he's gonna be really good at that."
Although his defense isn't top-tier, MacMahon thinks Sengun is capable of guarding multiple positions.
"Sengun is flexible enough to guard the power forward and center positions," MacMahon said. "There's not many centers under 21-years-old that are more talented than Alperen Sengun."
Lowe and MacMahon both agreed that Sengun and the Rockets have a long way to go to succeed in the NBA, but they are on the right track.
"There is a lot of young talent on the roster," MacMahon said. "I do think the idea that the Rockets can compete for a play-in spot this year is way too optimistic. The biggest benefit [of their roster moves] could be in the long term if those guys establish a culture."
You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver.
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