In theory, precisely one (1) NBA player per season is untouchable.
Pedantic? Perhaps. Still, there’s a method in the (obsessive compulsive) madness. The word “untouchable” gets thrown around far too often
in NBA circles. It needs stricter parameters.
Let’s be clear: the monadic “untouchable” player in the NBA at this moment is Victor Wembanyama. If the Nuggets called and said, “Let’s work something out revolving around Jokic for Wemby”, the Spurs would swiftly say no.
Yet, that’s not what we mean when we say untouchable, is it? We really mean something like “virtually untouchable”, “realistically untouchable”, or “only in 2k”. By that measure, Alperen Sengun should be untouchable:
And that means even if Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the table.
Rockets shouldn’t trade Sengun
Let’s talk turkey (no, not Türkiye).
Yes, Antetokounmpo is better than Sengun at this moment. Sengun is unlikely to ever be as good as Antetokounmpo. Even Wembanyama may never be as good as Antetokounmpo (although, barring injuries…I digress).
That’s not a reason enough to move a 23-year-old for a 30-year-old. Antetokounmpo’s salary is nearly double Sengun’s. There are considerations beyond your basketball reference side-by-side comparison.
Although, we can play that game. Sengun is averaging 23.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game with a Box Plus/Minus (BPM) of 6.7. At age 23, Antetokounmpo averaged 26.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game with a 6.1 BPM.
Is that even better?
Either way, that’s not the point. Perhaps you could justify trading Sengun for Antetokounmpo if the Rockets were desperate and it was necessary. Here’s the rub:
They aren’t, and it isn’t.
Rockets have a bounty of assets
The Rockets are 15-5. Their 11.7 Net Rating is second-best in the entire NBA. Alperen Sengun, the 23-year-old center, is their primary playmaker. They are not desperate.
The Rockets also have swap rights with the dreadful Nets in the first round of the 2027 draft, the Suns’ 2027 pick, an egregiously juicy 2029 pick they can swap with the worst two of Phoenix, Dallas and Brooklyn. After begrudgingly sending the Thunder one more first-round pick this summer, they’ll control their own draft as far out as you’re allowed to trade as well.
So trading Sengun for Antetokounmpo should not be necessary, either.
If the Rockets do have an eye on the Greek Freak, who’s still at his peak, their offer should be fundamentally built around Amen Thompson and draft capital. Trading Thompson would sting as well. I’m not advocating for it.
I am just more fiercely opposed to moving Sengun. It’s not something a team with excess draft capital does. The purpose of having a surplus of stuff in a market is to be able to keep the stuff you want the most. The Rockets should be in the business of pairing stars, not trading them.
If there are valid reasons to avoid Antetokounmpo, they revolve around his fit with this roster. He and Sengun have different offensive approaches, but very similar shot profiles. Even Kevin Durant likes to operate in the midrange. The floor would look congested with those three in the frontcourt.
That’s a whole other article. For now, let’s agree to lay off the Sengun-for-Antetokounmpo pieces? Looking at you, ESPN. It doesn’t make sense. Sengun is untouchable:
Semantics aside, of course.
