Rockets' Alperen Sengun must fix one part of his game to earn MVP consideration

The Houston Rockets know they’ve got a star player in Alperen Sengun. The Ringer just named him a 2025-26 MVP candidate.

If that sounds unrealistic, you haven’t been paying attention. Sengun is averaging 25.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game through three games. The Rockets are 1-2, but it’s hard to blame Sengun. The Rockets are +16.4 when he’s on the floor, and -26.6 when he’s off.

That’s impressive stuff. It’s MVP-level impact. That said, the Rockets are 1-2. The MVP always plays on a winning team:

What can Sengun do to get the Rockets winning?

Rockets’ Alperen Sengun must improve in one area

Sengun’s ability to impact the game even when he’s inefficient around the rim is remarkable. Still, to be his best self, he needs to be efficient around the rim.

So far, that hasn’t been the case this year. Sengun is shooting .500 between 0-3 feet. That inefficiency is offset by 58.3% three-point shooting on 4.0 attempts per game.

If you think that’s sustainable, your optimism is admirable. There’s ample hope that Sengun has permanently improved his three-point shooting, but that would make him one of the very best shooting big men in NBA history.

To be a consistent scoring presence throughout the year, Sengun needs to hit his bunnies. It was a problem to begin 2024-25, and he gradually picked his interior efficiency up. He needs to do it more quickly in 2025-26:

Especially when another part of his game is clicking so well.

Rockets’ Alperen Sengun is finally reaching his playmaking potential

Those 6.7 assists per game leap off the page, right?

Sengun has long been one of the most dynamic passing big men in the NBA. His assist numbers have been strong relative to his position, but fans have wanted more.

This year, they’re finally getting it.

There are different aspects that make a good passer. Sengun has always had creativity in spades, but his processing time has lagged. The theory has been that the Rockets’ cramped spacing has been a hindrance on his decision making. Kevin Durant was supposed to be the solution:

And he has.

With Fred VanVleet injured, Sengun’s playmaking takes on new importance. He has an opportunity to prove he can be a primary playmaker. When that job description comes from a big man who now defends at a high level, you’re looking at an MVP candidate.

That said, it won’t happen if Sengun remains inefficient around the rim. A .500 mark is simply untenable. The bar for that area is realistically closer to .700. That’s what stars who lean on interior scoring shoot:

For an MVP candidate, it’s going to be vitally important.