By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Alperen Sengun confirmed talks regarding a contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
The Turkish center can ink a rookie scale contract extension until October 21. A potential deal would keep him in Houston for several more years, instead of becoming a restricted free agent at the end of his current rookie contract, next summer.
“We have been talking,” he mentioned during the Rockets Preseason Media Day on Monday, “I want to get the contract, and they are trying to negotiate with us and we are trying to negotiate with them. So, it has been good. We are going to make it work. We still have time and hopefully, we can make it work.”
Sengun, 22, was selected with the 16th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, shortly after being named MVP of the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi at the bottom end of his stint with Besiktas Icrypex. Earlier in his professional career, he appeared in 15 Basketball Champions League contests with Teksut Bandirma.
Over three seasons with the Rockets, the Giresun native logged 210 games played, averaging 14.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks per contest, including 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game over 63 appearances in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season. The breakout campaign labeled him as a leading player for the team coached by Ime Udoka, heading to the 2024-25 Regular Season.
Launching the 2024 NBA Preseason, the Rockets are set to visit the Utah Jazz next Tuesday. Following exhibitions opposite the Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, and San Antonio Spurs lead into the opener of the Regular Season against Charlotte Hornets in Toyota Center on October 23.