Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün just wrapped up his second consecutive All-Star campaign, posting impressive averages of 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, while shooting 51.9% from the field. He also recorded 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game and racked up 34 double-doubles, tying Luka Dončić for ninth-most in the NBA this season.
Şengün and the Rockets earned a favorable first-round postseason matchup against the injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers (missing Dončić and Austin Reaves for portions of the series). However, it hasn’t materialized into the expected advantage. Houston finds itself down 0-3 in the series and faces the very real possibility of being swept — on their home floor, no less.
Şengün hasn’t been fully consistent through the first two games, averaging 19.5 points on 15-of-39 shooting (38.5%). But Game 3 brought a completely different version of the Turkish big man.
He was aggressive from the opening tip, doing everything possible to will his team to victory. In 47 minutes of action, Şengün delivered a monster stat line: 33 points, 16 rebounds (including 5 offensive), 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. He shot 15-of-27 from the field (though just 1-of-5 from three — hardly a surprise given his career tendencies). This was the dominant, two-way Şengün that Rockets fans had been waiting for all postseason.
Trade Rumors Surface Hours Before Game 3
Several hours before tip-off of Game 3, a significant report from Will Guillory of The Athletic dropped: if the Rockets suffer an early and disappointing postseason exit (such as a first-round sweep), Alperen Şengün could be made available this summer.
According to Guillory, Houston could look to move Şengün (along with some future draft picks) in pursuit of a more established superstar. Names specifically mentioned as potential targets include:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Houston was previously linked to the Greek Freak earlier in the season)
- Kawhi Leonard
- Donovan Mitchell
The logic is clear: after adding Kevin Durant mid-season and shifting to a more win-now mentality, an early exit against a shorthanded Lakers team would be viewed as a major disappointment. In that scenario, the front office might decide to pivot aggressively by packaging their young All-Star center for a proven championship-level talent.
The Trade-Off: Star Power vs. Depth
Adding another superstar would instantly raise Houston’s ceiling and make them legitimate title contenders. However, it would also force the Rockets to surrender significant roster depth. Replacing Şengün’s unique blend of scoring, passing, rebounding, and interior defense would not be easy, especially while maintaining the chemistry built around Durant and the rest of the young core.
Şengün has become the heartbeat of the Rockets’ offense — a skilled passer out of the post and a reliable anchor on both ends. Trading him would represent a massive philosophical and roster-construction shift.
What’s Next for Houston?
The Rockets still have Game 4 at home to try and avoid the sweep and extend the series. Şengün’s Game 3 performance showed he can dominate when fully locked in. But the broader question now looms large: if the series ends quickly, how aggressive will Houston get in reshaping the roster around Kevin Durant this summer?
Would you trade Alperen Şengün for a chance at Giannis, Kawhi, or Donovan Mitchell? Or is keeping the 23-year-old All-Star the smarter long-term move? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — the 2026 offseason could get very interesting for the Rockets depending on how this series concludes.
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