When one thinks of the biggest surprises in the NBA so far this season, one will think of teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. But to a certain extent, the Houston Rockets could be considered a surprise, and they’re certainly lurking in the Western Conference.
Despite a mostly young roster, they currently hold an 18-18 record and are in ninth place in the Western Conference. While they’re a rather lackluster team, they’re winning with defense, as they rank fifth in defensive rating.
Center Alperen Sengun is becoming a star before everyone’s eyes and veteran guard Fred VanVleet, whom they signed to a lucrative free agent contract this past summer, is giving them a boost. There is plenty of potential within Houston’s core, and one shouldn’t expect it to sit idly between now and the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
Reportedly, they want to acquire a legitimate backup center who will complement second-year forward Tari Eason.
“The Rockets are known to be looking for backup center depth behind Alperen Sengun to pair with defensive star Tari Eason,” wrote Matt Moore of Action Network.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Houston Rockets Updates
Sengun, who is in his third season out of Turkey, is averaging 21.6 points on 54.6 percent shooting, 9.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists a game this season. He is starting to get plenty of recognition from the national media as a legitimate rising force in the league, and fans are also recognizing him, as he’s sixth among Western Conference frontcourt players in the latest All-Star game voting returns.
Right now, Houston’s main backup centers are Jock Landale, who is nothing more than a warm body that is 6-foot-11 and 256 pounds, and Boban Marjanović, who is more of a curiosity than anything at 7-foot-4.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Houston Rockets Updates
The West has plenty of good and great big men, including two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Domantas Sabonis and rookie sensations Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama. For the Rockets to not only make the playoffs but do something there, not just this season but also in the near future, they will have to upgrade their frontcourt depth and ability.
