Major media outlet makes mistaken claim about Rockets' Alperen Sengun

We've discussed the Houston Rockets' flexibility on many occasions. With so many options ahead, it can be difficult to sort out a long-term vision for this team.

Who will they build around? When is the blockbuster superstar trade coming? We're not sure. We do not have the answers.

For now, most questions revolve around Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green. They're both due for rookie scale extensions. If the Rockets let this situation drag into the season, each will hit Restricted Free Agency this summer.

Fans don't need to ring the alarm bells. Restricted Free Agency offers plenty of team control. If somebody offers either a lucrative deal, the Rockets will have the opportunity to match them. If they want to keep either (or both) of Sengun and Green, they will be able to do that.

So why would they extend Sengun now?

Major media outlet makes bold statement about Sengun

Bleacher Report seems to feel that his extension is inevitable. They recently published a piece called Playing Trade or Keep With Every Team's Most Desirable Assets. They think the Rockets should keep Sengun - and keep him on a new, long-term deal.

"Şengün is probably going to sign a max extension with the Houston Rockets before the season begins after averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in Year 3.

The 22-year-old is a better overall player than Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic who already got a max this offseason.

The Rockets could still play hardball with Şengün and go into restricted free agency next summer, although Houston should definitely keep its young center for now."

-Greg Swartz, Bleacher Report

We've got no issue with the latter part of Swartz' assertion. The Rockets shouldn't have much interest in moving Sengun. Unless an MVP candidate becomes available, there's no reason to part with their most productive young player.

There's just no reason to extend him before the season begins, either.

Rockets should be smart with Sengun

If the Rockets do that, they'll lose his currently modest cap hold for next summer. The Rockets could head into next summer armed with some of the most cap space in the league. If Swartz were correct, Sengun's new max rookie deal would be occupying that space instead.

Will there be a desirable free agent for Houston to sign? We're not sure - and that's not the point. The Rockets want to preserve - here's that word again - their flexibility. In theory, they could trade for a superstar to occupy that extra cap space.

There's no need to trade Sengun, but there's no real need to extend him now either. The only persuasive argument is that the Rockets would preserve goodwill with the talented young star by paying him now. Sure. That shouldn't outweigh the more prudent consideration of maintaining their cap space next summer. Luckily, there's little indication that the Rockets are set on extending Sengun this summer:

Why would they limit their flexibility?