Rockets could grant Alperen Sengun's longtime wish if bold gamble pays off

The Houston Rockets know Kevin Durant is going to revolutionize their championship odds in 2025-26. That's partly because he's replacing Jalen Green in terms of role, and how that should help Alperen Sengun.

This won't be a Green hit piece. The suggestion that he's not as good as Kevin Durant shouldn't be insulting. If Durant isn't the best scorer in NBA history, he's not far off. That's not just going to help the Rockets. It should make life substantially easier for Alperen Sengun.

That may mean he finally gets his recognition as the face of this franchise.

It will have been a long, winding road. Sengun has been embroiled in a friendly competition for that role with Green. Ben DuBose of the Lager Line podcast recently detailed that struggle.

"Over their four years together, there was always this push and pull...even though I think Alp was largely the better player, it was always a bit delicate from a political perspective"

- Ben DuBose, The Lager Line

Now, those politics will be in the rearview.

Rockets' Alperen Sengun poised for a big season

DuBose goes on to explain exactly how Sengun will benefit from the Rockets' roster change

"There were times when (Sengun) wasn't as aggressive as he could have been (playing next to Green), as opposed to this season, Kevin Durant...provides a lot more off-ball value"

- Ben DuBose, The Lager Line

That's precisely the point. Durant is an absolutely elite shooter. Green has struggled in that area. That makes him more suited for on-ball duties.

Unfortunately (for the duo), the same could be said for Sengun. As both men struggled without the ball, they were a clunky fit. Sengun and Green found some success in hand-off sets that helped Green get downhill, but that's a limited action. It was never going to benefit Sengun as much as simply playing alongside an elite shooter.

Now, he'll play next to one of the best shooters in league history. In terms of team politics, the dynamic will also be substantially different. Durant will have the top place in the hierarchy, but it will be in a transitional capacity. Given his age, it will be understood that it's only "his team" for now.

Will it be Sengun's team moving forward?

Rockets have plenty of talent alongside Sengun

Astute readers are having a thought:

Won't the same issues exist between Sengun and Amen Thompson?

Perhaps. Thompson is also hindered by his limited jumper. Still, he's at least a better finisher on the interior. Thompson is shooting 73.9% between 0-3 feet for his career, while Green is shooting 65.7%. That ought to make those hand-off sets more effective between Sengun and Thompson.

Time will tell whether that's enough to solidify their partnership. If nothing else, Durant should elevate both young players. That will give Sengun a chance to establish himself as the face of the Rockets:

If they can win a title, that'll be even more meaningful.